Spurs Make It 10 in a Row

After taking some good-natured ribbing over his alma mater’s success earlier in the day, Tim Duncan went right to work against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Duncan had 26 points and 10 rebounds for his league-leading 23rd double-double this season, and the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 101-91 victory Saturday night over the Trail Blazers.

When Duncan walked onto the court to start the game, the Wake Forest alumnus was chided by Portland’s Jeff McInnis and Rasheed Wallace, both products of North Carolina.

Earlier in the day, No. 19 Wake Forest had upset No. 4 North Carolina with a 119-114 triple-overtime victory.

“Walking into the circle, they said, ‘Don’t say a word,’ ” Duncan laughed. “And I didn’t.”

Duncan didn’t gloat, and instead did a number on the Trail Blazers. As a result, San Antonio’s winning streak matches the Lakers’ NBA season best from Nov. 19 to Dec. 9.

It is San Antonio’s longest run since winning 11 in a row last season.

“We’re not feeling unbeatable, but we’re feeling on a roll and we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves,” Duncan said. “We’re approaching every game the same way -- with the realization that we need to bring our ‘A’ game against every team.”

Tony Parker added 15 points and 10 assists for the defending NBA champions, who shot 52.6%.

The Trail Blazers, who are 12-4 at home, trailed by as many as 21 points, but closed it to 65-56 on Damon Stoudamire’s driving layup. Wallace further narrowed it with a layup, but Parker responded with a jumper to chill the rally. Portland got no closer than 74-66 after that.

Zach Randolph led the Trail Blazers with 29 points and seven rebounds.