Spurs 101, Celtics 89: Kawhi Leonard had 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals as host San Antonio rolled past Boston.

Tiago Splitter added 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting and Tony Parker had 15 points and seven assists as the Spurs won for the ninth time in 11 games. Tim Duncan and Danny Green had 10 points apiece for San Antonio, which is one game behind the fifth-place Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference.

Evan Turner scored 17 points and Avery Bradley added 16 for the Celtics, who remain in a tie with the Indiana Pacers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Jae Crowder had 14 points and Jonas Jerebko collected a season-best 12 rebounds for Boston.

The Spurs led by 14 at halftime and the differential was 15 after Turner scored for the Celtics with 5:31 left in the third quarter but Leonard scored the next seven points to make it a 22-point margin and San Antonio took an 84-63 lead into the final stanza. Boston showed life with 16 consecutive points to pull within 91-84 with 4:37 remaining in the contest before some of the Spurs’ starters returned to lead the ensuing 10-3 run that sealed it.

San Antonio shot 60 percent from the field while taking a 32-19 first-quarter lead and Boris Diaw’s layup increased the advantage to 42-23 with 8:21 left in the half. The Celtics stayed within range but shot just 38.6 percent in the half and trailed 56-42 at the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Spurs were 20-of-23 from the free-throw line. … Celtics PG Isaiah Thomas (back) sat out for the sixth straight game. … Spurs SG Manu Ginobili (ankle) missed his third straight game.