Spurs Easily Beat Jazz Again, 94-81

Tim Duncan had 18 points and 10 rebounds in San Antonio’s 94-81 victory over Utah on Friday night in Salt Lake City, the Spurs’ 17th consecutive win over the Jazz and fourth season sweep in a row.

The Spurs, who haven’t lost to the Jazz in four years, won their fifth in a row. The loss dropped Utah into 10th place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind eighth-place Portland for the final playoff spot. Utah last beat San Antonio on Feb. 6, 2000.

New Jersey 108, New York 83 -- Former Long Beach State star Lucious Harris matched his season-high with 24 points at East Rutherford, N.J., to help the Nets win their third consecutive Atlantic Division title. The Knicks played without guard Allan Houston, who was put on the injured list because of a bruised quadriceps.

Detroit 92, Miami 84 -- At Auburn Hills, Mich., Chauncey Billups scored 31 points to help the Pistons win for the 11th time in 13 games. The loss was only the Heat’s second in 11 games.

Memphis 109, Phoenix 99 -- James Posey scored 32 points at Memphis, Tenn., to help the Grizzlies extend their winning streak to seven games. Amare Stoudemire had 31 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for the Suns.

Milwaukee 107, Cleveland 89 -- The win at Milwaukee gave the Bucks sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of New Orleans.

Boston 111, Golden State 106 -- Paul Pierce scored 32 points at Boston, including the Celtics’ final five after the Warriors tied the game in the final minute.

Minnesota 91, Washington 73 -- The win at Minneapolis enabled the Timberwolves (53-24) to stay close to the Lakers and Sacramento in the race for the Western Conference’s top seeding.

Indiana 84, Toronto 64 -- The Pacers, an NBA-best 56-20, pulled most of their starters in the second half at Indianapolis after building a 15-point advantage.

Atlanta 95, Orlando 87 -- The Hawks overcame a 21-point deficit at Orlando to hand the Magic its 10th loss in a row, dropping the team to an NBA-worst 19-58.

Denver 110, Houston 100 -- The win at Denver moved the Nuggets to within a percentage point (.520-.519) of eighth-place Portland in the Western Conference.