Mavericks 115, Spurs 91

<br>DALLAS (AP) _ Tim Duncan doesn't know how he hurt his left leg, and the San Antonio Spurs aren't sure how long they'll be without him. <br><br>Duncan limped to the bench with 7:15 left

Friday, February 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ Tim Duncan doesn't know how he hurt his left leg, and the San Antonio Spurs aren't sure how long they'll be without him.

Duncan limped to the bench with 7:15 left in a 115-91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. The Spurs were down by nine at the time and never got any closer, enduring their worst beating of the season to stop a run of seven wins in eight games.

Michael Finley led Dallas with 30 points and was among several stars during a 46-point third quarter. He opened the period with a dunk and closed it with a swish from behind the half-court stripe.

Duncan was having his usual big game against the Mavericks with 22 points and 17 rebounds in 25 minutes when he was sidelined.

Although the two-time MVP appeared to be rubbing his left knee, and teammates said that's what he was complaining about, the team announced that the problem was just above it.

``He's got some sort of thigh contusion,'' coach Gregg Popovich said. ``He's probably going to miss a little bit of time.''

Asked how long Duncan might be out, Popovich said: ``I have no clue. I have no idea. You guys are thinking I'm a doctor, a psychic and all that stuff.''

Duncan will be examined further Friday in San Antonio. The team's next four games are at home, starting Saturday night against Denver.

Duncan didn't go to the locker room until the game was over. He spent about 20 minutes in the trainer's room, then limped out and was taken to the team bus on a golf cart. His only comment was, ``I don't know what happened.''

``I'm not worried,'' said Malik Rose, Duncan's backup. ``Tim gets beat up a lot. He's one of the most resilient guys in the league. He's had only one serious injury in his career.''

In other games, Sacramento edged Los Angeles 103-101 and Washington defeated Chicago 95-87.

The Spurs are 1-3 without Duncan this season. He missed three games with a sprained left ankle, and another to a suspension. They're also 0-2 in the games he's gotten hurt.

``Our team misses our superstar,'' Popovich said. ``He's more important to us than a lot of other teams' stars.''

The Mavs won their fourth straight and improved their league-best home record to 26-4. They also improved to 3-0 against San Antonio this season, clinching the season series.

That would matter if the teams end the season with identical records. Both were 60-22 last season, but the Spurs won the division by virtue of a better head-to-head record. San Antonio holds a half-game lead over Dallas, with both trailing Midwest leader Minnesota.

The Mavs torched the NBA's stingiest defense for the most points it has allowed in regulation all season, and they shot 52.6 percent against a unit that was holding foes to 40.3 percent.

The 46 points in the third quarter was the most Dallas had ever scored in that period. It also was more than the Spurs allow in most halves. They'd only given up 100 points four times, none since Jan. 14. Dallas had that with eight minutes left.

Finley led the way by making 10 of 14 shots, including 5-of-7 on 3-pointers. Dirk Nowitzki added 23 points, and Steve Nash had 15 points and nine assists.

Kings 103, Lakers 101

At Los Angeles, Mike Bibby made two 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds to cap a 31-point performance.

Peja Stojakovic had 37 points and nine rebounds as the Kings won their fourth straight and eighth in nine games despite playing shorthanded. Bibby also had eight rebounds and seven assists.

Kobe Bryant's 3-pointer with 37.8 seconds left drew the Lakers within two points.

After Bibby missed a 3-pointer, the Lakers elected not to call timeout. Bryant used a screen from Shaquille O'Neal to get open, but his 25-footer was short. Bibby rebounded and dribbled out the clock.

Bryant had 35 points, a season-high 11 rebounds and six assists. O'Neal had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who had won five straight and seven of eight.

Wizards 95, Bulls 87

At Washington, Gilbert Arenas had his second career triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists as the Wizards completed rare back-to-back victories.

On Wednesday, Arenas didn't attempt a shot until 5:30 remained in a two-point victory at Toronto _ and that was only after coach Eddie Jordan threatened to bench him. Arenas has been smarting from comments made Sunday by teammate Kwame Brown, who accused an unnamed teammate of being too selfish with the ball. Arenas responded by criticizing Brown's play.

Arenas' 12 rebounds matched a career high, while the 13 assists were a season high.

Kirk Hinrich scored 23 for the Bulls, who lost their fourth straight.