Duncan Leads Spurs

Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs honored David Robinson with a victory.

Duncan returned to the lineup Monday night to score 16 points and grab 10 rebounds as the Spurs defeated Utah, 87-78, at San Antonio.

“It was great to get a win on his night,” said Duncan, who played 34 minutes after sitting out three games because of a sprained left ankle.

The NBA champion Spurs retired Robinson’s No. 50 in a postgame ceremony. He retired last summer after 14 seasons with the team.

“This is a moment you always dream of, but never think will come,” Robinson said. “It’s overwhelming. It’s awesome.... This is my final farewell. This has been a wonderful journey.”

Of his ankle, Duncan said: “It felt good, it’s feeling better and better. Yesterday, I practiced and it felt good. I feel fine right now.”

Tony Parker, also back after sitting out the first seven games because of a sprained left ankle, scored nine points on two-for-10 shooting and had one assist in 29 minutes.

Manu Ginobili added 18 points to help the Spurs beat the Jazz for the 14th consecutive time.

Matt Harpring led Utah with 11 points.

Cleveland 94, New York 80 -- Chris Mihm scored 19 points and LeBron James added 17 points -- all on shots beyond 16 feet -- as the Cavaliers routed the Knicks at Cleveland.

“Every day in practice I go into the gym and I hear those voices that say I can’t shoot,” said James, who made all three of his three-point shots after sinking only two of 12 beyond the arc going into the game.

Said Knick Coach Don Chaney: “I think LeBron will be a great shooter, but I think I can make a couple of shots if nobody is in my face.”

Allan Houston led the Knicks with 22 points on nine-of-25 shooting. “This was just horrible, one of the worst,” Houston said. “You should never come out and go through the motions, and that’s what we did.”

Denver 105, Chicago 97 -- Nugget rookie Carmelo Anthony had a big night with 26 points and eight rebounds, and Earl Boykins made the biggest shot, a three-pointer with 38 seconds left, to lead Denver at Chicago. Boykins finished with 14 points and nine assists.

Eddy Curry’s 20 points led the Bulls, who for the second consecutive game did not start Jalen Rose and Jamal Crawford. Rose had seven points and Crawford six.

Phoenix 99, Golden State 96 -- Stephon Marbury and Joe Johnson each scored 22 points at Oakland as the Suns ended a four-game road losing streak dating to last season.

Jason Richardson had 22 points, leading the Warriors in scoring for the third consecutive game after serving a three-game suspension from the league.