Despite playing without their star centre, Tim Duncan, The San Antonio Spurs managed to beat the Utah Jazz 104-98 on Friday in order to keep their home record spotless.

Manu Ginobili and Matt Bonner were those who pushed the Spurs to victory with their five free throws in the last 17 seconds. This is their fifth straight win and the twelfth victory on home court. History and statistics weren’t on Utah’s side before the as the Jazz haven’t won in San Antonio for the last eight seasons.

Manu Ginobili showed what a champion is made of and took control of the team’s offense since Duncan left the floor helped by his team mates. The Argentinean scored 37 points and had eight rebounds and six assists off the bench to lead the Spurs. Tony Parker followed with his 16 points and seven assists and Michael Finley added 15 points.

"I'm surprised by nothing that Manu Ginobili does,'' said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

”I just take it for granted that there will be a surprise every game. So I think I need a new word for surprised. He's just the ultimate competitor,'' he added.

The Spurs were trailing by four going into the fourth period, but took the lead early in the quarter and then went on stopping the Jazz from recovering. The Spurs' led by only one point when Ginobili went to the line with 17 seconds left. He made both foul shots. Utah's Carlos Boozer was then called for a controversial charging foul and Bonner made one of two from the line with 14 seconds remaining. After another unsuccessful Utah play, Ginobili clinched it with two more free throws with six seconds to go.

For the Utah Jazz, Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams split 56 point between them and the only other Jazz player that finished in double figures was R. Brewer with 14 points.

"We take our hats off to them,'' Boozer said.”Good thing it's still early in the season. ... We're in an improving mind-set. We're going to continue to improve.''