Friday, March 18th (All times eastern)

Charlotte Bobcats (12-50) at San Antonio Spurs (49-15), 8:30 p.m.

(Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs hope to maintain the NBA's overall lead tonight when they welcome the Charlotte Bobcats to the SBC Center.

San Antonio currently holds a 1/2 game lead over Phoenix atop the Western Conference. The Suns will host Golden State this evening.

On Wednesday, Tim Duncan collected 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five blocked shots to lead the Spurs to an easy 89-73 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Robert Horry added 18 points for the Spurs, who have won two straight and seven of their last nine contests. San Antonio is currently seven games ahead of second-place Dallas in the Southwest Division standings.

Brent Barry and Tony Parker posted 11 points and six assists apiece in the victory.

San Antonio is seemingly back on track, winning the last two on the heels of losses to Phoenix and Denver. However, those setbacks came without Duncan and Manu Ginobili, who sat with injuries. Duncan, of course, is back, but Ginobili remains bothered by a strained groin and is doubtful for tonight.

The Spurs, who have won six of their last seven at home, will begin a three- game road trip on Sunday.

Charlotte, meanwhile, has lost eight straight games. On Wednesday the Bobcats dropped a 120-101 contest at Denver.

Keith Bogans scored 19 points to lead the Bobcats, who have lost 18 of their last 20 games overall. Emeka Okafor added 17 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Denver was able to move the ball against Charlotte throughout the night, posting a season-high 40 assists.

The Bobcats, who have lost 10 straight road games, will close a three-game trip Saturday in Dallas.

San Antonio toppled Charlotte, 104-85 on February 8 in North Carolina. That game was the teams' first-ever meeting.

03/18 10:20:23 ET