SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Kevin Garnett made a triumphant return from injury to help the Boston Celtics defeat the San Antonio Spurs 80-77 on Friday.

Garnett scored 10 points in limited action after missing 13 games with an ailing knee and Glen Davis made a clutch jump shot with five seconds remaining to allow the Celtics (52-18) to keep sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference.

"(Garnett's) our leader and we missed his leadership out on the floor, his verbal leadership," Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters.

"He's the one guy who holds everyone accountable defensively. Our whole thing is still trying to get ready for the playoffs."

Ray Allen led the team with 19 points in a return of his own following a missed contest due to an elbow injury.

Tony Parker had a game-high 25 points and eight assists for the Spurs (45-23), who have undergone similar health problems that have plagued Boston.

Defensive game

Tim Duncan missed Tuesday's game to rest his knees but was back on the court and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

In what was a defensive affair, Boston pulled away from a 74-74 tie on buckets from unlikely sources. Center Kendrick Perkins made a jumper with 2:11 followed by Davis' baseline shot two minutes later to give the Celtics their second straight win.

Garnett played only 15 minutes but provided a boost for his team, who went just 7-6 in his absence.

Rajon Rondo chipped in 16 points and 12 assists as both teams shot just 41 percent from the field.

The Spurs missed six free throws in a row in the final 2:31, including four from Parker, to lose for the third time in five contests.

"That happens. That's basketball," said Duncan, of the missed opportunities. "We had the guys we wanted at the line and got good shots. This was a very winnable game we just didn't have enough good performances -- mainly myself."

Argentina's Manu Ginobili missed his 17th straight game with an ankle injury while San Antonio's hold over second place in the Western Conference was narrowed to half a game over the Houston Rockets.