Robinson Steps Up to Lead Spurs’ Win

No Tim Duncan? No problem.

Not when David Robinson is still on the floor.

Robinson scored 23 points and the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs overcame Duncan’s absence Friday night to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 91-78, at Chicago.

Robinson got help from Malik Rose, inserted into the starting lineup with Duncan sidelined because of a lower abdominal strain. Rose had 17 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.

Robinson and Rose scored 17 of the Spurs’ first 20 points in the final period to break open a close game. Robinson dominated, scoring 11 points in the final quarter.

“David showed everybody in the playoffs last year he could still do it,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “Tonight, he showed he’s still one hell of a ballplayer.”

Said Bull rookie Elton Brand: “We felt we could stop Robinson, but in the fourth quarter he exploded. That’s what the best players do.”

Robinson was clear in his own mind about what to do without Duncan in the lineup.

“Tonight, I got in a rhythm,” he said. “I knew I had to do my offensive thing.”

Duncan wanted to play, but sat out his first NBA game after 186 consecutive starts. He is listed as day-to-day.

Minnesota 107, Toronto 85--Kevin Garnett had 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Timberwolves romped at Toronto.

Garnett, well-rested after playing only 25 minutes in Thursday night’s blowout victory over the Clippers, narrowly missed his third triple-double of his career.

Miami 87, Cleveland 82--Tim Hardaway made two late jumpers for the Heat at Miami.

The Atlantic Division-leading Heat, which got 18 points from Jamal Mashburn, has won eight in a row at home. The Cavaliers have lost 11 in a row on the road.

Detroit 131, Golden State 99--Grant Hill scored 30 points and Jerry Stackhouse added 29 for the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit led by 14 points after one quarter and never looked back in winning for only the second time in six games. The Pistons set season highs for points and margin of victory. Golden State suffered its worst loss of the season.

Philadelphia 97, Milwaukee 83--Allen Iverson scored 25 points at Milwaukee as the 76ers sent the Bucks to their seventh consecutive home loss.

New York 84, Phoenix 79--Patrick Ewing matched a season high with 25 points at New York as the Knicks ended the Suns’ eight-game winning streak.

Utah 96, Orlando 88--Karl Malone had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

Atlanta 95, Seattle 87--Isaiah Rider scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half at Seattle.

Around the League

Dennis Rodman of the Dallas Mavericks was fined $3,500 by the NBA for failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection from Thursday night’s loss to the Utah Jazz. Since his return to the NBA this month, Rodman has already been thrown out of two of the five games he has played, suspended once and fined twice. . . . Rookie guard Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets was fined $10,000 by the NBA for committing a flagrant foul on Denver Nugget guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad during Thursday night’s game. . . . The Cleveland Cavaliers placed guard Brevin Knight on the injured list and signed forward Donny Marshall to a 10-day contract. . . . The Atlanta Hawks activated rookie Dion Glover from the injured list. . . . The Golden State Warriors activated center Tim Young and placed forward Antawn Jamison on the injured list. . . . The Detroit Pistons activated center Mikki Moore and placed forward-center Don Reid on the injured list.