Spurs Lose Duncan, Beat Nuggets

So far so good for the San Antonio Spurs without Tim Duncan.

With the injured star watching from the bench, Tony Parker scored 29 points and Kevin Willis had 17 -- season highs for both -- and the Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets, 117-92, on Saturday night at San Antonio.

Carmelo Anthony, Denver’s standout rookie, lamented that his team didn’t take advantage of Duncan’s absence.

“When the players hear that the key player on the other team is out, they just tend to relax or take the opportunity for granted,” said Anthony, who led the Nuggets with 26 points, 20 in the first half.

Duncan was placed on the injured list Saturday, two days after he hurt his left leg in a loss to Dallas. He is averaging a team-leading 23.2 points and 13 rebounds in 54 games.

The team says Duncan has an irritation of the joint where the thigh bone meets the knee. His condition will be reevaluated next week.

Rasho Nesterovic had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs.

Earl Boykins scored 15 points for the Nuggets.

New Jersey 92, Miami 86 -- Kenyon Martin had 18 points, 15 rebounds and a key late block at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Nets got back on track after losing for the first time under Lawrence Frank. Eddie Jones had 21 points to lead the Heat.

Orlando 104, Atlanta 99 -- Tracy McGrady scored 26 of his 30 points before injuring his right ankle, and the Magic beat the host Hawks. McGrady, the leading scorer in the NBA, landed awkwardly on the foot of defender Stephen Jackson in the third quarter and began favoring his foot. Chris Crawford tied his career high with 27 points for the Hawks, who have lost five of six.

Indiana 81, Philadelphia 74 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead the Pacers past the 76ers at Indianapolis. Philadelphia, playing without the injured Allen Iverson and Glenn Robinson, was led by Kenny Thomas, who had 20 points.

Memphis 97, New Orleans 92 -- James Posey scored 24 points despite a leg injury to lead the host Grizzlies. Memphis finished February with a 10-3 record, the best month in franchise history. Baron Davis led the Hornets with 24 points and 10 assists.

Dallas 111, Portland 91 -- Antoine Walker had 25 points and eight rebounds, and the host Mavericks extended their winning streak to five games. Zach Randolph had 18 points for the Trail Blazers.

Chicago 87, Golden State 81-- Jamal Crawford scored 27 points, and Eddy Curry had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Bulls needed overtime to win at Chicago. Kirk Hinrich became the first rookie this season to have a triple-double, with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bulls. Jason Richardson scored 25 points for the Warriors.