Spurs Remain Tough for the SuperSonics

Tim Duncan had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Tony Parker had 18 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 96-90 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Thursday night.

The Spurs beat the SuperSonics for the fifth consecutive time, sending Seattle to its fifth loss in six games. San Antonio, making the second stop on a seven-game trip, has also won four in a row in Seattle.

The SuperSonics three times cut a 15-point deficit to four in the final period but could get no closer, their last chance coming when Rashard Lewis failed to convert a three-point play after pulling Seattle within 94-90 with 49 seconds left.

Lewis led Seattle with 25 points. Ray Allen had 22 points for Seattle.

The Spurs slowed Allen in the first half with defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, who held the SuperSonic guard to seven points on three-of-12 shooting in the first two quarters.

The two had some bumps and confrontations. Their physical play developed into jawing at each other near the end of the first half and, early in the third quarter, double technical fouls.