Spurs Put an End to 76er Winning Streak

With plenty of blocked shots and high-percentage field-goal opportunities, the San Antonio Spurs ended the second-longest winning streak of the NBA season.

Tim Duncan scored 29 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked eight shots at San Antonio to lead the Spurs over the 76ers, 98-93, Friday night to end Philadelphia’s winning streak at eight. Dallas had won 14 in a row to open the season.

San Antonio blocked 16 shots and shot 56% in defeating Philadelphia for the 16th consecutive time at home.

“We did a good job playing defense for 48 minutes,” San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich said. “The whole team responded defensively and that’s important to do for 48 minutes. If we hadn’t shot the way we did, it would have been a tough game.

Stephen Jackson came off the bench to score 24 points and David Robinson had 13.

Philadelphia, which hadn’t lost since Nov. 16, was led by Allen Iverson with 21 points, but he shot only nine of 30.

“Give San Antonio credit, they did a great job just shutting us down,” Philadelphia Coach Larry Brown said. “Their blocks really hurt us, and they got to the foul line a lot tonight.”

Portland 88, Miami 69 -- Bonzi Wells scored 17 points and Derek Anderson had 16 as the Trail Blazers held the Heat to 22 first-half points at Portland, Ore.

Portland led 48-22 at the half, holding their opponent to the fewest points in a half since the Denver Nuggets managed only 22 in the first half at Portland on April 16, 1997.

Sacramento 98, Denver 77 -- Doug Christie had 23 points and eight rebounds and Bobby Jackson scored 21 at Sacramento as the short-handed Kings won for the 10th time in 11 games.

Chris Webber had 17 points and 11 rebounds as Sacramento remained unbeaten in 11 home games despite suiting up the NBA-minimum eight players for the fourth time this season.

Utah 104, Memphis 71 -- Calbert Cheaney scored a season-high 14 points and Karl Malone had 13 points and eight rebounds at Salt Lake City as the Jazz kept the Grizzlies winless (0-10) on the road.

Phoenix 102, Indiana 96 -- Stephon Marbury had 19 points and nine assists and all five Sun starters reached double figures at Phoenix. The Suns outscored the Pacers 10-3 over the final 3:05 in a tight, up-and-down game.

New Orleans 98, Houston 96 -- Jamal Mashburn scored 25, Jamaal Magloire had 16 points and 17 rebounds as the Hornets improved to 11-0 at home. Magloire had five points and four rebounds in overtime as the Hornets built a 98-93 lead.

Toronto 103, Chicago 89 -- Voshon Lenard returned from a three-game absence because of a sore back and scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter at Toronto as the Raptors beat the Bulls for the 16th straight time.

Orlando 88, Washington 78 -- Tracy McGrady had 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds at Orlando, Fla., as the Magic held the Wizards to 11 second-quarter points to build a big lead.

Boston 91, New York 80 -- Antoine Walker scored 25 points and Tony Delk had 20 at Boston to lead the Celtics to their sixth consecutive victory over the Knicks.