San Antonio explodes for 46 points in the third quarter and Boston can't catch up.

SAN ANTONIO -- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points and the San Antonio Spurs rode a 46-point third quarter to a 120-111 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.

Derrick White had a career-high 22 points for San Antonio, which has won 11 of 13 to close within four games of the top spot in the Western Conference.

The Spurs made 19-of-25 shots (76 percent) in the third quarter, their highest-scoring period since 1993 and the 12th-highest in franchise history.

Jaylen Brown had a season-high 30 points, but Boston was unable to maintain its first-half advantage.

San Antonio was without third-leading scorer Rudy Gay because of a sprained left wrist, but had six players reach double figures to offset his absence.

The Spurs opened the game 1 for 6 from the field and shot 22 percent in the opening period while scoring a season-low 17 points in the first quarter. Boston shot better from 3-point (35 percent) than San Antonio did from the field (33) in the first half.

That advantage disappeared quickly as the Spurs went on a 24-4 run to establish an 84-69 edge. White had 11 points and three assists in the third quarter.

Terry Rozier hit three consecutive 3-pointers to cut it to 86-78, but the Celtics were unable to reclaim their lead.

Marcus Morris scored 18 points for Boston, Kyrie Irving had 16 and Rozier had 15.

San Antonio forward Davis Bertans was 5 for 8 on 3-pointers in scoring 17 points. The Spurs finished 14 for 26 on 3-pointers.

Around the rim: Irving ran back to the locker room with 7:22 remaining in the game after taking a blow to the eye during a collision with Marco Belinelli. Irvin returned to the bench and to the game a couple minutes later. ... After taking New Year's Day off, Boston returns to action Wednesday against Minnesota to open a four-game homestand. ... Brown's previous season high of 23 points came Dec. 8 at Chicago. ... Spurs center Pau Gasol received a big ovation in his first game since Nov. 4. Gasol missed 26 games with a stress fracture in his right foot. He was active for the past two games on the road against the Nuggets and Clippers, but the Spurs chose to keep him out until returning home.