AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- With interim coach John Loyer hoarsely shouting instructions, Brandon Jennings and the Detroit Pistons ran away from the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter. Jennings finished with 21 points, and the Pistons beat San Antonio 109-100 on Monday night in Loyers first game at the helm. Detroit abruptly fired Maurice Cheeks on Sunday after only 50 games as coach, but although theyve been unimpressive for the most part this season, the Pistons have played better lately. The comfortable win over the Spurs was Detroits fifth in seven games. "I told them it was going to be an emotional day," Loyer said. "I told them I thought we can play, collectively, for longer periods of time better than we have." Rodney Stuckey scored 20 points for the Pistons, and Greg Monroe added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Marco Belinelli led the Spurs with 20 points. Detroit pulled even with Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Pistons have shown flashes recently of the potential they thought theyd have this season. After signing Josh Smith and trading for Jennings in the off-season, Detroit is barely ahead of last seasons pace in terms of wins and losses. Jennings has been terrific lately, though. After scoring 35 points with 12 assists Saturday against Denver, he orchestrated another strong offensive effort Monday. San Antonio, meanwhile, turned the ball over eight times in the third quarter, when Detroit pushed its lead from 11 to 20. The Spurs finished with 19 turnovers, giving the Pistons all the help they would need. "We lost the game because we probably played the worst defence weve played all season, especially in the first half," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "We didnt bring it mentally or physically, and the Pistons did." Loyers sideline demeanour was quite a change from Cheeks more calm approach. At one point, Loyer came all the way across midcourt to give instructions as the Pistons were trying to hold on. "Theyre both two different coaches," Jennings said. "One is loud, the other one is kind of laid back. Theyre both great guys -- especially Cheeks. Hes like a father figure to me, so hes definitely going to be missed. But this is the NBA, so I know how that goes." The Pistons went on a 12-2 run in the third to take a 73-52 lead, then added a few more highlights later in that quarter. Smith threw down a one-handed dunk after a turnover by San Antonio, and Jennings made a layup after Detroits Andre Drummond blocked Aron Baynes shot emphatically off the glass. Jennings missed from the perimeter, then stole the ball near midcourt and went in for a three-point play to make it 84-62. "I told the guys today, just when we were in the locker room, Im so proud of them," Loyer said. "I only thought there was about a three-minute period where they showed more energy, more determination than us. You show determination, hustle for 45 of the 48 minutes, youre going to be pretty successful most nights." San Antonio is in the midst of a nine-game road swing. Belinelli was back after dealing with back spasms, but the Spurs were without Manu Ginobili (left hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (right hand). The Pistons went on a 15-4 run in the second quarter, capped by a 3-pointer by Jennings that put them ahead 57-45. "They played hard," San Antonios Danny Green said. "They wanted to play with some passion and they got loose balls." NOTES: The Pistons have won five straight at home after starting 7-15 at The Palace. ... After Cheeks firing, Popovich was asked about the key to his longevity with the Spurs. "I have information on everybody," he joked. "And Ive threatened everybody Ill let it out unless they keep me as long as I want to stay." ... Ginobili has joined the Spurs on this road trip, but hes not expected to play until after the All-Star break. Patriots Jerseys China . While coach Doc Rivers high-fived fans and pumped his fist at the crowd, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul quietly congratulated each other. Patriots Jerseys 2019 .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/. FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded. Stitched Patriots Jerseys . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with safety Brock Vereen and QB David Fales on four-year contracts. New England Patriots Gear . Specifically, thumbs up to the Canadian-based teams in the NHL, or at least most of them.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Phil Mickelson hardly sounded like a guy who nearly won his sixth major championship. He was a bit put off by the way it finished. More important, he wasnt about to let a strong showing at the PGA Championship brighten the way he felt about this year. Theres a lot of work ahead. "Ive got some regrouping to do these next three or four months," Mickelson said Sunday night, standing in the darkness of Valhalla after losing to Rory McIlroy by a single shot. "I have some glaring areas in my game that I have to work on." He was part of a riveting four-man duel in the rain-delayed final round, but a costly bogey at the 16th denied Mickelson a chance to break his longest winless stretch since 2003. Lefty closed with a 5-under 66 for a 15-under 269 total, not quite good to deny to deny McIlroy his second straight major title. For Mickelson, it was an encouraging performance after a largely disappointing season. He hasnt won since the 2013 British Open, and he wasnt a factor in the first three majors this year. Now, its time for the 44-year-old to get to work. "I feel like if Im able to continue to be strong and healthy and sharp in these areas of my game, I should have four or five good years," Mickelson said. "These next three or four months will be critical for me making sure that I address the issues and that Im ready to go in 2015." What are his most pressing concerns? Mickelson had a lengthy list. "Short irons were terrible this year as a whole. Its usually a strength, and Ive got to get that back," he said. Then Mickelson mentioned his driving, especially missing the fairway at the 16th and 17th holes. "Those two tee shots hurt. Those are things Ive got to address. Ive got to. I dont mind being wild, but when youve got to get in the fairway, youve got to be able to do it." The finish was downright bizarre. A nearly two-hour suspension set up a race to the finish, and the last two groups -- Mickelson and Fowler, followed by McIlroy and Bernd Wiesberger -- arrived at the 18th tee one after the other, barely able to see the green 538 yards away. After Mickelson and Fowler hit their shots, the PGA of America told the final group to hit as well, essentially turning the final hole of a major championship into a foursome.dddddddddddd Mickelsons caddie, Jim Mackay, was heard grumbling to the officials as they asked the next-to-last pairing to step aside so the last one could hit. Then, after Mickelson and Fowler struck their second shots, McIlroy and Wiesberger hit as well. With all four at least near the green, Mickelson and Fowler played out. Lefty nearly chipped in for eagle off the front of the green, which could have forced a playoff. But a birdie left him lacking by a shot when McIlroy blasted out of a bunker, two-putted for par and signed for 268. Mickelson got in a bit of a shot at the PGA of America, mentioning that the organization only runs one tournament a year. But he acknowledged that the strange ending didnt really affect the outcome. "Thats not what we normally do," he said. "But its not a big deal either way. At least that way, we had a chance to finish." For Mickelson, any chance of adding to his three Masters titles, last years British Open and the 2005 PGA Championship essentially ended at the 16th hole, where he drove into the rough, left his second shot short of a bunker and nearly chipped in, the ball catching the right lip of the cup before skidding 10 feet past. He missed the putt to save par, dropping out of the lead he shared with McIlroy. When McIlroy rolled in a birdie at the 17th, the lead grew to two strokes heading to the final hole. "It was a fun day for me to get in the mix and a fun day for me to make some birdies and move up early so that I had a good chance on the back nine," Mickelson said. "Had I been able to finish those last five, six holes strong, I could have totally flipped the way I look at this year." Maybe his ninth runner-up finish in a major will turn out to be blessing. "Regardless of how I played this week, I know that Ive got to address some things," Mickelson said. "These next four to five years, I really want to make them special." Mickelson extended his American record by qualifying for his 10th consecutive Ryder Cup team. The PGA was the final qualifying event for nine Americans to make the team that will face Europe late next month in Scotland. Mickelson jumped from 10th to fifth. ' ' '