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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Tim Duncan had 30 points and 14 rebounds,
doing most of his damage with David Robinson sitting out the second
half, as the San Antonio Spurs beat Seattle 107-89 Tuesday night to
end the SuperSonics' four-game winning streak.
The victory, combined with Philadelphia's loss at Toronto, gave
the Spurs (52-22) the NBA's best record.
The Sonics, who lost for just the second time in 12 games, had
their already shaky playoff hopes damaged. Seattle now trails
Minnesota by 3 1/2 games in the race for the eighth and final playoff
berth in the West.
It didn't help matters that the Sonics were without two starters
(Patrick Ewing and Jelani McCoy) and were facing an opponent that
beat them by 27 and 28 points in their first two meetings this
season.
Rookie center Olumide Oyedeji made his first career start, and
Duncan went right at him on the game's first possession, scoring
easily in the low post. Little went wrong for the Spurs the rest of
the way, although there was a negative note to the night as
Robinson missed the second half because of a sore back.
The Spurs hardly needed him, though, as Duncan had 12 points and
five rebounds in the third quarter when the Spurs led their lead
slip below double digits for only a few seconds.
San Antonio took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter and was
not challenged down the stretch in winning for the sixth time in
eight games.
Derek Anderson added 16 points and eight assists and Antonio
Daniels scored 11.
Gary Payton and Rashard Lewis scored 23 each for Seattle.
The Spurs, who never trailed, opened a 10-2 lead in the first
few minutes as Seattle missed its first six shots and committed
three turnovers. Duncan went to the bench with two fouls just five
minutes into the game, and the Sonics managed to catch up and trail
just 20-17 after one quarter.
Duncan came back for the start of the second quarter and scored
the final four points of an 8-0 run that put San Antonio ahead
28-17.
A 3-pointer by Ferry gave the Spurs a 38-26 lead, and Anderson
and Antonio Daniels had highlight-reel dunks over the rest of the
quarter as the Spurs were opening a 51-33 halftime lead.
Seattle pulled within nine on a layup by Shammond Williams
midway through the third quarter that made it 62-53, but Ferry
answered with a 3-pointer and Duncan hit a 5-footer from the
baseline to restore a comfortable lead.
Game notes
Duncan went 8-for-8 from the foul line, continuing his
recent trend of improving his free-throw shooting. He reached 30
points for the seventh time this season and the 37th time in his
career. ... Ewing missed just his third game of the season. Baker
made his 27th start and was 0-for-7 from the field in the first
half. He finished with 10 points and six rebounds. ... Sonics
forward Rashard Lewis said he will accept an invitation to play for
the United States in the Goodwill Games in Australia in September.
The Americans are fielding a team of players 22 and under, and
Lewis said Jermaine O'Neal, Wally Szczerbiak and Shawn Marion also
plan to play. ... McCoy sat out with a strained left knee.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
San Antonio Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 82
Miami 77
Charlotte 103
New Jersey 88
New York 94
Orlando 82
Indiana 85
Phoenix 81
Toronto 100
Philadelphia 85
LA Lakers 96
Utah 88
Detroit 110
Chicago 83
Dallas 109
Houston 97
San Antonio 107
Seattle 89
Denver 94
Portland 92
Milwaukee 107
Sacramento 101
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