NBA-Spurs swat Hornets 98-89, Ginobili scores 30

NEW YORK, Feb 23 (Reuters) - The San Antonio Spurs scored a 98-89 home win over New Orleans on Saturday to record their fifth win in a row and join the Hornets at the top of the Southwest Division.

"It was a fine win for us against a really good basketball team," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "One can understand why New Orleans is at the top of the division doing as well and they've done."

Argentine Ginobili scored 30 points and added a career-high 12 assists and grabbed six rebounds. Tim Duncan had 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots in the victory.

"Obviously, Manu has been on fire for quite a while while playing All-Star basketball and I think Timmy is back in the groove," Popovich said of Ginobili and Duncan.

The Hornets rallied from a 17-point deficit and tied the game with 7:05 remaining but the Spurs regained control to avenge a 102-78 home loss in January.

Chris Paul scored 27 points and David West 16 for the Hornets, who lost for the second night in a row.

"There is nothing to panic about," said New Orleans coach Byron Scott. "Now we know what teams are looking to do against us, being physical, so we'll just have to adjust."

*The New Jersey Nets scored a 102-91 win over Indiana.

*The Philadelphia 76ers scored the last 10 points in overtime to record a 101-96 road victory over the Miami Heat.

*The Washington Wizards picked up only their second win in the last 12 games, a 110-95 home victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

*The Utah Jazz scored a 100-94 home win over the Atlanta Hawks. The Jazz are 14-2 in their last 16 games.

*Pau Gasol scored 23 points and added six assists and five rebounds to help the Lakers earn a 113-95 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. (Writing by Mike Shalin; Editing by Peter Rutherford)