Spurs thrive on road

Tim Duncan had a season-high 35 points and 14 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs improved their franchise-best road start to 5-0 with a 108-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

The first meeting between the teams since the Spurs won their first-round playoff series in May was physical, with San Antonio’s Brent Barry needing nine stitches on his forehead and Sacramento’s Ronnie Price needing seven stitches on his chin after a second-quarter collision. The Kings’ Kenny Thomas received two stitches to his lip after being hit by Duncan in the quarter.

Ron Artest had 22 points for the Kings, who lost their second in a row and first at home (4-1).

*

Miami center Shaquille O’Neal underwent a 45-minute surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee and will be sidelined at least four weeks.... Washington guard Jarvis Hayes was out of the hospital and listed as day to day after bruising his back and banging his head in a collision during Saturday’s game against Cleveland.