Spurs Lose Duncan and Suns Capitalize

Tim Duncan, who has never missed a game in his 2 1/2 seasons in the NBA, left Monday night’s game against Phoenix early in the second quarter with a lower abdominal strain and did not return.

The Suns took advantage and recorded a 98-89 come-from-behind victory at San Antonio.

Duncan has played in 184 consecutive games.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, Phoenix opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to lead 73-71.

Indiana 94, Dallas 93--Reggie Miller scored only 15 points but came through on defense as the Pacers salvaged a victory over the Mavericks at Indianapolis.

Miller deflected an inbounds pass off Dallas’ Michael Finley with 21.9 seconds left, then was fouled and made both free throws with 14.4 seconds left. Miller also defended Finley on the final shot of the game, a desperation heave at the buzzer.

Jalen Rose scored 28 points as the Pacers recorded their 20th consecutive home victory.

Denver 123, Sacramento 117--Antonio McDyess had 29 points and 13 rebounds, and the Nuggets made 12 three-point shots to defeat the Kings in overtime at Denver. Nick Van Exel added 27 points and 15 assists and Sacramento shooting guard Predrag Stojakovic, starting in place of ailing Nick Anderson (flu), scored a career-high 30 points.

Utah 96, Atlanta 94--Armen Gilliam converted a layup off an assist from John Stockton with 2.2 seconds left to give the Jazz a come-from-behind victory over the Hawks at Salt Lake City.

Cleveland 109, Vancouver 108--Wesley Person forced overtime with a three-point shot at the buzzer at Cleveland and Bob Sura slapped the ball away from Michael Dickerson with three seconds to play to preserve the victory for the Cavaliers. Shawn Kemp led the Cavaliers with 26 points.

Dickerson had 27 points, including four free throws in the final 9.4 seconds of regulation.

Detroit 95, Miami 87--Terry Mills made six three-point shots--one shy of his career high--as the Pistons, winless in three games since the All-Star break, defeated the Heat at Auburn Hills, Mich. Miami’s Alonzo Mourning suffered a broken nose when he took an elbow from Michael Curry in the fourth quarter, but sat out for only three minutes.

Portland 105, Boston 92--Arvydas Sabonis scored 19 points and Rasheed Wallace added 16 as the Trail Blazers won their ninth in a row by stopping the cold-shooting Celtics at Portland.

Around the League

Larry Bird, a day after telling the Boston Globe he would be interested in putting together a group to buy the Boston Celtics, said he would prefer owning the Indiana Pacers. But Bird, who has said this is his last season as Pacer coach, said he doesn’t anticipate owning either team. “The Pacers are not for sale, the Celtics are not for sale. . . . You can’t buy something that’s not for sale,” he said. . . . Forward Al Harrington was activated by the Pacers and rookie center Jeff Foster (lower back strain) was placed on the injured list.