Monday, December 24, 2007 Duncan leads Spurs past Clippers
SAN ANTONIO–Tim Duncan had 34 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the severely undermanned Los Angeles Clippers 99-90 on Saturday night.
Tony Parker had 18 points in his first game back since missing four with a sprained left ankle. The Spurs snapped a two-game skid, while the Clippers' losing streak increased to four.
Rookie Al Thornton led the Clippers with 25 points in his second career start. Chris Kaman added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The game was never much in doubt, though the Clippers got within six points with less than two minutes to play. The Spurs led by as many as 24.
While Parker was back for the Spurs, top reserve Manu Ginobili left the game in the first quarter with a sprained left index finger. He sustained the same injury to his shooting hand on Dec. 2, but didn't miss any games.
At Phoenix, the Suns raced past Toronto despite a career-high 42 points by the Raptors’ Chris Bosh.
Leandro Barbosa, starting in place of injured Raja Bell, scored 31 points, Amare Stoudemire added 28 and Grant Hill 25 as Phoenix swept the season series from Toronto for the fourth consecutive season. The Suns are 8-0 against the Raptors since Steve Nash came to Phoenix in 2004.
Improved record
Bosh made 22 of 24 free throws, both career bests. His 22 makes are the most from the line in the league this season.
The Suns improved to 6-0 when Barbosa has started this season.
At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and Indiana held off short-handed Washington.
Jermaine O'Neal had 18 points and eight rebounds, and reserve Kareem Rush added 15 points for the Pacers (15-13), who won for the fourth time in five games.
Antawn Jamison finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds, and Roger Mason scored a career-high 20 points for Washington (13-13), which played without injured starters Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antonio Daniels.
Trailing by seven entering the fourth quarter, the Wizards used a 9-0 run to tie it at 70 with 8 minutes remaining. The Pacers responded by scoring the next seven points, including a Granger 3-pointer.
Last second win
At Miami, Dwyane Wade hit a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer, giving Miami a win over Utah.
Wade finished with 20 points for Miami, which wasted a 16-point second-half lead - but won when the 2006 NBA finals MVP pump-faked, shot and saw the ball bounce off the rim and through the hoop as time expired.
Shaquille O'Neal finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Daequan Cook had 15 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 28.2 seconds left, for Miami. (AP)
