"Warming to his role as Manu Ginobili's off-the-bench sidekick, Spurs forward Richard Jefferson has approached recent games with one goal in mind: "My game plan from here on out?" he said. "Just drive and keep driving and driving."

Jefferson's commitment to aggression at the offensive end Sunday afternoon produced his first 20-point game since Dec. 29 as he helped the Spurs defeat the Phoenix Suns 113-110 at the AT&T Center.

The timing of his most productive game of 2010 — he also had five assists, three of them in the fourth period — was appreciated by his teammates.

"He needs to play well for us to go anywhere," said team captain Tim Duncan, one of three Spurs with at least 20 points. "He's been getting a rhythm the last couple games. It's good to see it."

Jefferson attributes his rhythm to finding his early offense at the rim instead of from the perimeter.

"My teammates have been messing with me a little bit, saying I've been passing up some open shots," he said, "but it's more for drives and not depending too much on that outside shot. Two, you get a couple of easy buckets, and it makes the hole start to look a little bigger.

"When you take those early jumpers, and you miss a few, that adds to your frustration.""