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Tuesday, Apr. 3 8:30pm ET
Duncan's huge effort repels Sonics

RECAP | BOX SCORE | 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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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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