SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) -- San Antonio rode a strong third quarter to a 105-88 victory over Minnesota on Saturday as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich notched his 600th National Basketball Association victory.

Argentina's Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 22 points, including nine in the third period to ensure the Spurs didn't lose a third consecutive contest.
Tim Duncan added 15 points and nine rebounds and Tony Parker had 21 and eight assists for the defending NBA champs.
Down by one at halftime, the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 31-21 in the third quarter for a 75-66 lead entering the fourth.
San Antonio never allowed Minnesota to get within striking distance the rest of the way.
""We didn't match their intensity in the second half,"" Timberwolves center Michael Doleac said. ""Guys kept fighting hard, and we made a good run, but we just came up short again.""
Characteristically, Popovich downplayed his accomplishment in reaching 600 career victories.
Asked if No. 600 felt any different from the previous 599, he answered: ""No.""
""Pop didn't bring it up,"" Ginobili said. ""I guess he's not into all those kinds of numbers, as well as we aren't into those things, either.""
Ginobili, who also had five steals, was more focused on what the Spurs need to improve upon.
""Today, we made some shots, but we are still not playing the way we should be,"" he said. ""We are just not playing well. This was a very important game for us. We didn't play sharp, but we got the win, and that's something.""