A powerful display by Australia's Aron Baynes wasn't enough to help the San Antonio Spurs beat NBA western conference rivals the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Spurs were hoping to leapfrog the Clippers and take the fifth spot in the tight conference standings, but the 119-115 loss in Los Angeles keeps them in seventh.
Baynes was one of the highlights for the Spurs, with the forward-centre continuing to reward head coach Gregg Popovich's decision to start him alongside veteran big man Tim Duncan ahead of the Spurs' Tiago Splitter.
Baynes had 14 points, with four rebounds and one block from almost 26 minutes on the court.
The 208cm, 28-year-old from Cairns started the game with a delicate turnaround hook and exploded in the third quarter with two dunks in less than two minutes.
Baynes' Australian team-mate Patty Mills had a tough night, connecting with just one from seven attempts from the floor, including 0-5 from behind the three-point line.
"It was a tough loss and we've had a few of those this year," Mills said.
"We can't give too many more of them away."
It was the first game back for the Spurs after a week off for the NBA All-Star break, and the team is attempting to overcome a disappointing first half of the season hampered by injuries to Mills, Splitter, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Marco Belinelli.
The Clippers were led by captain Chris Paul with 22 points and centre DeAndre Jordan with 26 points and 18 rebounds.
On Friday, The Spurs play Andrew Bogut's NBA-leading Golden State Warriors, who have amassed a 42-win, nine loss record this season.
In the other NBA game played on Thursday, Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 95-93.
The Thunder's Russell Westbrook picked up right where he left off at Sunday's All-Star Game where he was named MVP.
Westbrook had 34 points and 10 assists against the Mavericks.
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