Credit the new defensive rule changes. Credit the new motion offense. Credit them both.

But the Spurs? They prefer to credit each other. That's as simple an explanation as any as to why a team that ranked 21st in the league in scoring just two seasons ago suddenly has one of the league's most explosive offenses.

"We like to share the ball," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "None of our guys care who scores as long as the open man is getting the ball. And as long as we continue to play that way, we'll be a heck of a team."

If nothing else, the Spurs are at least scoring a heck of a lot of points. They ranked fifth in the league in scoring through Saturday's games, averaging 103.6 points per game ? more than seven points higher than last season's average. They also lead the league in 3-point shooting, making a remarkable 48.0 percent of their attempts.

"Guys are getting a lot of open shots," Terry Porter said. "Everybody just seems to be in a rhythm."

The new rules have something to do with that. With the NBA now allowing zones and gimmick defenses, teams are more aggressively doubling Tim Duncan.