The biggest reasons the Spurs beat the Clippers in Game 5

By now surely you've read all the reactions here at PtR from last night's epic clash---if you haven't, you should now!

And if you're hungry for more, here are links to what some writers around the web are saying about the latest chapter in the most compelling series of the first round:

From Tom Ziller at SBNation:

San Antonio stole a win in Los Angeles and took the upper hand in this series. But win or lose, the Clippers should keep their core together. The Spurs illustrate why.

And from SBNation's Satchel Price:

This was a game that had it all: High-flying dunks, technical fouls, unexpected performances, last-minute gaffes, questionable officiating and public criticism of said officiating. With Game 5 looming as a pivotal turning point in the series, the Clippers and Spurs delivered. Whether it's a spry Tim Duncan boasting his discovery of the fountain of youth or Chris Paul reminding us he is the true Point God, this has been the series everyone hoped for.

From The Triangle writers at Grantland:

To paraphrase Samuel Johnson, nothing focuses the mind like the sight of the gallows. Watching Game 5 of Clippers-Spurs, I found myself constantly amazed at how hard these teams were playing. And it isn't as if these guys have been loafing for the previous four games or the 82 before that. But there was Chris Paul, moving so fluidly that he looked like a special effect.

From Michael C. Wright at ESPN.com:

It took seemingly every way imaginable here at the Staples Center, as the Spurs seized a 3-2 lead in the series to push the Clippers to the brink of elimination with the teams meeting again Thursday night for Game 6 in San Antonio. In defeating Los Angeles on its home court in Game 5, Popovich relied on timely contributions from San Antonio's deep bench, successful use of a strategy focused on sending DeAndre Jordan to the free-throw line, not to mention taking advantage of a little luck in crunch time courtesy of the big man the Spurs focused on fouling.

From the 3-Pointer at CBS Sports by Matt Moore:

San Antonio did so much wrong in this game, but the formula, as always, was sound. They just find ways to eek out points on possessions that are going nowhere. With 3:49 to go in the fourth, Jamal Crawford made a steal and raced up court for a layup. Tony Duncan ran back to cover him. Tony Parker shouted to Duncan he had middle. This allowed Duncan to commit fully to pushing Crawford to the baseline, a much tougher shot over Duncan. Crawford got past Duncan, but the speed and angle caused a miss. Duncan grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball to Leonard.