NEW YORK, 24 February 2004 — Tony Parker had 26 points and Tim Duncan 25 as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-92 in a Western Conference showdown in Minneapolis yesterday.
The Midwest Division rivals have now split a pair of games this season as the defending NBA champion Spurs moved to within three games of Minnesota at the top of the division standings. Duncan, a 58 percent shooter from the foul line, made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minutes to help nail down what he says was a very big win.
“We knew it was important, because they had four games on us and we might see them again in the playoffs,” Duncan said.
San Antonio completed a seven-game road trip with a 6-1 record while Minnesota had its five-game winning streak snapped. The Spurs and T-Wolves meet another two times next month. Hedo Turkoglu scored all 13 of his points in the second half for the Spurs and added 14 rebounds. Manu Ginobili added 11 points for San Antonio.
Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves with 28 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Sam Cassell added 24 points for Minnesota while Latrell Sprewell added 15 for the Wolves.
In New York, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 31 points and 15 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the slumping New York Knicks 92-86. The game marked the much-anticipated professional debut of LeBron James in New York and the rookie sensation responded with 22 points. Carlos Boozer added 14 points and hauled down 16 rebounds for the Cavs, who handed the Knicks their fourth loss in the last five games.
Jeff McInnis added 143 points for Cleveland, which led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 30 points, who were once again without the injured Allan Houston. Houston may return when the Knicks embark on a four-game western road swing later this week.
In Indianapolis, Jermaine O’Neal had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 94-80 win over the Utah Jazz. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was ejected from the game late in the second half after arguing with officials and receiving two technical fouls. Austin Croshere had 15 points for Indiana while Al Harrington added 14.
In Detroit, Juwan Howard’s layup and subsequent free throw with 3.5 seconds left gave the Orlando Magic an 87-86 win over the Pistons.
Howard led the Magic with 20 points and helped Orlando hand Detroit its eight loss in the past nine games.
In Toronto, Peja Stojakovic scored 27 points leading the Sacramento Kings past the short-handed Raptors 96-81.
Chris Bosh had 20 points for the Raptors, who have lost five straight and are missing both Vince Carter and Jalen Rose through injury.
In Washington, Michael Redd scored 25 points to snap a seven-game road losing streak for the Milwaukee Bucks with a 113-85 win over the Wizards.
In Phoenix, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Phoenix Suns 104-92. Gary Payton added 20 points for the Lakers, who have won four straight games since the All-Star break.
In Houston, Yao Ming scored 41 points as the Rockets out-lasted the Atlanta Hawks 123-121 in triple overtime. Yao also had 16 rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets.
In Seattle, Rashard Lewis scored 28 points to lead the SuperSonics to an easy 108-87 win over the Boston Celtics. Ray Allen added 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Seattle.
