Spurs Share a Low in Win

In a game in which the teams combined for the lowest scoring first half in NBA history, Tim Duncan had 22 points to lead San Antonio to a 71-67 victory over the Rockets on Thursday at Houston, the Spurs’ fifth straight victory.

The teams combined for 55 points, the fewest two-team total since the shot clock was introduced for the 1954-55 season.

The league record for fewest points in a half is 51, in the second half of a Boston-Milwaukee game in Feb. 27, 1955.

New Orleans 111, Phoenix 101 -- Baron Davis had 29 points to help spoil the debut of Sun Coach Mike D’Antoni at Phoenix.

Cleveland 95, Detroit 86 -- LeBron James had 23 points and nine assists to lead the way at Cleveland.

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Putting his retirement talk aside, Chicago Bull forward Scottie Pippen will have surgery today on his left knee with the intention of playing again.... Portland Trail Blazer forward Rasheed Wallace accused the league’s white establishment of exploiting young black athletes to enrich itself, telling The Oregonian, “I’m not like a whole bunch of these young boys out here who get caught up and captivated into the league.... I know what this business is all about. I know the commissioner of this league makes more than three-quarters of the players in this league.”

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Half Bad

Fewest points by both teams in the first half since the 24-second shot clock was introduced for the 1954-55 season:

* 55 -- San Antonio (30) at Houston (25), Dec. 11, 2003.

* 57 -- Denver (29) at Detroit (28), Nov. 16, 2002.

* 57 -- Miami (30) at New York (27), Jan. 20, 2003.

* 58 -- Syracuse (27) vs. Fort Wayne (31) at Buffalo, N.Y., Jan. 25, 1955.

* 58 -- Dallas (24) at Indiana (34), Feb. 13, 1998.