The San Antonio Spurs extended the best start in franchise history by beating the Dallas Mavericks 99-92 on Thursday in a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Tim Duncan bounced back from one of the least productive games of his career to score 17 points, while reserve Gary Neal had 21, for the Spurs, who improved to 28-4.
Coming off a thorough victory over the Lakers, the Spurs got behind in the opening minutes then used a 21-2 run that started late in the first quarter to go ahead for good.
Dallas missed Dirk Nowitzki, out for the second straight game because of a sprained knee ligament. The Mavericks have lost both games without their leading scorer, while winning 17 of 18 when he does play.
Dallas’ Caron Butler had a season-high 30 points.
MAGIC 112, KNICKS 103
In Orlando, Florida, the hosts notched their fifth straight win by downing New York.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard had 24 points and 18 rebounds in a bruising battle with Amare Stoudemire, who finished with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists but got into foul trouble early in a matchup of two of the NBA’s best big men.
Both were called for technical fouls but never shied away from contact and showed more offensive prowess than defensive pressure.
J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson had 14 points apiece, helping the Magic build a 20-point lead before halftime and hold on late. New York trimmed the deficit to two in the fourth quarter before the Magic pulled away.
Wilson Chandler had 29 points for the Knicks.
TRAIL BLAZERS 100, JAZZ 89
In Portland, Oregon, the home team beat Utah hours after learning star guard Brandon Roy will be out long term.
The Blazers said before the game that Roy would be shut down indefinitely because of sore knees that have plagued him throughout the season. The All-Star has missed 10 games this season, including the past seven.
The Blazers didn’t put a timeline on Roy’s absence, but general manager Rich Cho suggested it could be lengthy.
Wesley Matthews tied a career high with 30 points, while Marcus Camby returned from injury to lead Portland with a season-high 20 rebounds.
Deron Williams had 19 points and eight assists for Utah.
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