Tiago Splitter has been healthy this season and his presence has allowed Gregg Popovich to limit Tim Duncan to a career-low 28.4 minutes per game.

Splitter missed 22 games and averaged just 12.3 minutes per game for the Spurs last season as a rookie.

“Getting Tiago Splitter back in health this year has helped,” Popovich said. “We didn't really have him last year, so he's like an addition to the team.”

“I knew this season was important for me, not just because we had to rest Tim, but also because when (Antonio) McDyess decided to retire, I knew I would have to play more and would be more important to the team," said Splitter.

“Of course, I knew that in a short season like this, with all the games, four in five nights and things like that, that Tim would need to rest a couple of days, and I would play a little more.”