Ginobili leads San Antonio’s charge

Scores 46 points as Spurs down Cleveland

NEW YORK: The San Antonio Spurs downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105 on Wednesday, marking a successful return to the arena where they won the NBA title last season.

Manu Ginobili scored a season-high 46 points, including a career-best eight three-pointers, as the Spurs defeated the team they swept from the NBA finals. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich was full of praise for the Argentine. “He’s one of the most unbelievable competitors I’ve been around,” Popovich said.

“That’s why he has NBA championships and Olympic championships and European championships. He’s a pretty special guy.”

Ginobili had 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs outscored Cleveland 41-30 in the final 12 minutes to wrap up their annual nine-game ‘rodeo’ road trip 6-3.