Duncan’s Career-High 42 Points Help Spurs End Losing Streak

Tim Duncan scored a career-high 42 points as the San Antonio Spurs ended a losing streak at three games with a 99-91 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies Thursday night at San Antonio.

Duncan, whose previous high was 39 points last season against Vancouver, gave San Antonio its biggest lead at 93-83 on two free throws with 2:37 left.

San Antonio has won 22 in a row at home over two seasons, but is 6-6 on the road this season.

Phoenix 99, Washington 85--Cliff Robinson scored 31 points and Tom Gugliotta had 27 at Phoenix as the Suns handed the Wizards their sixth consecutive loss. Washington placed rookie Richard Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with an injured finger he suffered in practice Wednesday.

Portland 90, Minnesota 86--Steve Smith made a leaning one-hander with 14.5 seconds left to help the Trail Blazers survive a terrible fourth quarter at Portland, Ore. The Trail Blazers went without a field goal for a seven-minute span in the third and fourth quarters to allow the Timberwolves to cut an 18-point deficit to one, but they never lost the lead.

Around the league

Patrick Ewing will return to action for the New York Knicks tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. It will be Ewing’s first game since June 1, when he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Indiana. . . . New Jersey Net center Gheorghe Muresan will be sidelined indefinitely with torn ligaments in his left knee. . . . Philadelphia will be awarded the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, 76er president Pat Croce said.