Duncan, Spurs dominate Nets

Tony Parker tallied 19 points, while Michael Finley had 15 and Manu Ginobili 14 for the Spurs, who snapped a two-game overall skid, but topped New Jersey for the eighth consecutive time.

San Antonio led by four after the opening quarter and blew it open by netting the first 20 in the second.

The injury-riddled Nets, already missing center Nenad Krstic (knee) for the season and forward Richard Jefferson (ankle) for at least the next three weeks, will be without point guard Jason Kidd until after the All-Star break due to a strained lower back.

"I’ve been undergoing treatment for the past two days and my condition has improved significantly," Kidd said. "Although I’m feeling better, rest is the way to go."

Rookie Marcus Williams got his first career start in place of Kidd and had nine points and 10 assists, but the Nets had a three-game win streak broken. Vince Carter led the way with 18 points for New Jersey, while Eddie House had 16.

Kidd hadn’t missed a game due to sickness or injury since December 4, 2004, but he sat out Tuesday and will miss Wednesday’s contest in Toronto versus the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors. He could miss Sunday’s All-Star game in Las Vegas.

The Spurs led 26-22 after one quarter, but then blitzed New Jersey in the second, when the Nets missed their first 13 shots of the period. Francisco Elson hit a hook shot and a jumper to make it 44-22. Ginobili then came up with a steal and drained two foul shots for a 46-22 margin with 5:42 remaining until halftime. Duncan had seven points during the spurt.

It was 59-38 at the break and the Spurs continued to control the action with a 79-60 cushion going into the fourth. Duncan’s two free throws capped the opening six points of the final period for the Spurs.

The Nets got no closer than 14 points in the last quarter.

Game Notes

Earlier Tuesday, the Spurs acquired forward/center Melvin Ely from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for forward Eric Williams and a second round pick in 2009...The Spurs are 7-0 against Atlantic Division teams...The Spurs missed just one of 24 free throws.