Duncan scoreless for 1st time but Spurs beat Rockets 121-103
SAN ANTONIO (AP) Tim Duncan was held scoreless for the first time in his 19-year career and the Spurs still won.
That's how well things are going for San Antonio at home these days.
Danny Green made a season-high six 3-pointers in scoring 18 points, and the Spurs avenged an earlier loss to the Houston Rockets with a 121-103 victory Saturday night.
San Antonio had a season-high 13 3s to extend the franchise record with its 20th straight home win to begin the season.
''It felt pretty good to knock some shots in, to see the ball go in for me,'' Green said. ''Unluckily for us, everybody else wasn't hitting any in the beginning. Usually it's the other way around.''
Green made his first three 3-pointers and four of his first five, helping spark a Spurs offense that was mired in a slow start against the physical Rockets.
San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points, Kawhi Leonard added 22 and Boris Diaw 20 against Houston's shot-blocking duo of Dwight Howard and Clint Capela.
Howard had 22 points, including 10 for 17 on free throws, 11 rebounds and four blocks. James Harden had 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting for Houston.
Duncan did not score for the first time in his illustrious career, but that was overlooked on a night when Aldridge, Leonard, Diaw and David West combined for 76 points.
''LaMarcus had a great game, D-West had a great game, Boris had an unbelievable game,'' Spurs reserve Manu Ginobili said. ''We had a lot of guys stepping up and playing great. That's what we needed over there. We just couldn't score, we couldn't move the ball well (in a previous loss to Houston).''
The Rockets' 88-84 victory on Christmas is the Spurs' only loss in their past 12 games. San Antonio has won four straight since that game, while Houston is winless.
''It's just tough, man,'' Harden said. ''We're in a tough position right now.''
The Rockets started the game aggressively, bullying the Spurs early by pushing them out of their sets and keeping them from cutting to the basket.
Houston guard Patrick Beverly dug an elbow and shoulder into Tony Parker in the first half while awaiting an inbounds pass, prompting Parker to give him a two-handed shove that did not yield a call.
San Antonio was able to counter that aggression at different points with long-range shooting, quick passing and Aldridge's own hard-nosed play.
''They just ran their stuff better than us tonight,'' Houston forward Corey Brewer said. ''They were the Spurs like the way the Spurs always play. They run their stuff crisp and if you don't guard them the right way, they're going to get easy layups and easy shots.''
Aldridge assisted with his most forceful game since signing with the Spurs in the offseason. He was 10 for 16 from the field, including spinning away from Terrence Jones and hitting a fadeaway jumper after absorbing a couple of hard bumps.
''LaMarcus is more and more comfortable every day,'' San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. ''These are new players for him, new offense, new defense - everything is different. It's difficult to do in your first year. A lot of guys take a whole year to get used to that. I think he's been remarkable in catching on this quickly. He's becoming more demonstrative and going to get the basketball and not waiting for a call or anything like that.''
TIP-INS
Rockets: G Marcus Thornton missed the game following the birth of his daughter, Maleia, with fiancee Lyndsey Duplessis on Friday. Houston coach J.B. Bickerstaff was unsure if Thornton would be available for Monday's game in Utah. ... As a 13-year-old, Bickerstaff attended a Spurs camp conducted by Popovich and San Antonio general manager R.C. Buford in Aspen, Colorado. David Robinson and Sean Elliott were among those assisting at the camp.
Spurs: Duncan had no points, four rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes in his return from a three-game absence. Duncan had not played since San Antonio last faced Houston. He missed the ensuing game for rest, but missed the following two due to right knee soreness. ... San Antonio tied Houston for the second-best home start to the season in the Western Conference. The 1978 Portland Trail Blazers hold the conference record with 26 straight home victories to open the season. ... San Antonio's previous high for 3-pointers was 10, which they had in four previous games, most recently against Minnesota on Dec. 23.
WE'LL MISS YOU, JOEY
Popovich said he will miss NBA official Joey Crawford, who told the Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Daily Times on Saturday that he will retire after the season. The 64-year-old Crawford has been an official since 1977.
''You hate to see somebody that is that good at his craft not be doing it anymore,'' Popovich said. ''He's obviously been an iconic figure for a long time. He lives and breathes what he does and he does it very, very well, so he will definitely be missed.''
Crawford was suspended in April 2007 for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs, after a run-in with Duncan. Crawford ejected Duncan after seeing him laughing while sitting on the bench during a game with Dallas.
UP NEXT
Rockets: At Utah on Monday night.
Spurs: At Milwaukee on Monday night.
