Tim Duncan set the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA franchise scoring record on Friday, eclipsing the mark held by Spurs icon David Robinson.
Duncan needed 13 points to eclipse the mark of 20,790 set by Spurs icon David Robinson over 14 NBA seasons.
He finished with 19 points — for 20,797 — and 14 rebounds in San Antonio’s 94-82 victory over the Utah Jazz.
The Spurs’ ninth straight victory gave them the first 10-1 season start in the club’s history.
Duncan’s achievement took some of the spotlight off teammate Tony Parker, who was playing his first road game since his actress wife Eva Longoria filed for divorce in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
France’s Parker heard scattered boos when he scored and cheers of his misses, along with a few calls of “Eva!” when he touched the ball.
He was able to ignore the distraction and score 24 points, including four straight late in the fourth quarter as the Spurs made sure Utah’s bid to rally fell short.
Duncan, who played his first five seasons alongside Robinson, said he now had bragging rights over his old teammate.
In fact, George Gervin scored 23,602 points in a Spurs uniform, but three of his seasons were in the Spurs’ former American Basketball Association incarnation and not counted in the statistics of the now-NBA club.
No one connected with the Spurs cared to quibble over Duncan’s achievement.
“He has done a fine job for a lot of years,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He has been the driving force behind our championships. The fact that he’s reaching this plateau isn’t a surprise to any of us, but it’s certainly an accomplishment.”
THUNDER 89, CELTICS 84
In Boston, Oklahoma City -squandered most of a 10-point lead before holding on to beat Boston.
Russell Westbrook scored 31 points despite missing all seven shots he took in the fourth quarter. Westbrook went 11 for 13 from the line, hitting a pair of free throws in the closing seconds after Boston cut the deficit to 85-84.
The Thunder were without NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant, who had a sore ankle.
Kevin Garnett scored 16 points but a season-low two rebounds for the Celtics, who had won three straight.
LAKERS 112, TIMBERWOLVES 95
In Minneapolis, Kobe Bryant had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead Los Angeles over Minnesota.
Matt Barnes scored 24 on 7-of-7 shooting for the Lakers.
Minnesota’s Kevin Love, the NBA’s leading rebounder, had just seven rebounds and was scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting.
Darko Milicic had career highs with 23 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks for the Timberwolves.
HORNETS 108, CAVALIERS 101
In New Orleans, New Orleans held Cleveland to 35 percent shooting and survived a late flurry.
Cleveland, which trailed by double digits for the first 20 minutes of the second half, pulled within 104-101 with 21 seconds left. New Orleans’ Marco Belinelli hit two foul shots two seconds later, and Trevor Ariza stole the ball from Ramon Sessions to seal the victory.
David West scored a season-high 34 points and Chris Paul contributed 15 points, 10 assists and six steals for the Hornets.
Antawn Jamison led the Cavaliers with 20 points off the bench.
BULLS 88, MAVERICKS 83
In Dallas, Chicago came from 12 points down in the third quarter to overrun Dallas.
Derrick Rose scored 22 points and Taj Gibson added 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds before fouling out with under a minute to play, helping the Bulls win in Dallas for the first time in six attempts.
Rose sustained a cut on his nose in the final minute of the third quarter when he was fouled by Nowitzki, but remained in the game after getting treatment.
Dirk Nowitzki scored a season-high 36 points for the Mavericks, but only two players reached double figures.
HEAT 95, BOBCATS 87
In Miami, the hosts wasted another huge lead but hung on to defeat Charlotte.
LeBron James scored 32 points while Chris Bosh added 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, who led by as many as 21 in the second quarter, but found themselves down 82-80 with 4:56 remaining.
James hit a short jumper from the lane to put Miami up again and Bosh made four straight free throws to give the Heat a 90-85 edge with 1:07 left and the home team clung on.
In other NBA action it was:
‧ Knicks 125, Warriors 119
‧ Wizards 89, Grizzlies 86
‧ 76ers 90, Bucks 79
‧ Kings 86, Nets 81
‧ Raptors 106, Rockets 96
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