Duncan, Spurs stop Blazers in opener

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Tim Duncan had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Spurs got their title defense off to a successful start, 106-97 over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Tony Parker added 19 points for the Spurs and Manu Ginobili had 16 points and eight assists.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 27 points. Martell Webster added 21 and Joel Przybilla had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Portland.

Darius Washington, a Spurs' training camp invitee, played backup point guard and hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth that put San Antonio up 84-77.

Despite a long-awaited ring ceremony to kick things off, the game didn't have the excitement that was anticipated when it was announced the Spurs would open against the Blazers, who drafted Greg Oden with the No. 1 overall pick. Oden had knee surgery this summer, ending his season before practice began.

Also before the game, the team's fourth championship banner was unveiled to deafening cheers from the sellout crowd.

Then it was back to square one: 82 games to go before the Spurs can even start thinking about repeating for the first time.

"It's to be appreciated and enjoyed until the very, very last minute," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of the title. "So if we lose, blame it on my bad prep."

DUNCAN DEAL: Before the game, the Associated Press reported that Duncan agreed to a two-year, $40-million extension. The agreement will add to Duncan's existing three-year deal and keep him in San Antonio at least through the 2011-12 season. Duncan, 31, has led the Spurs to four NBA titles in the past nine seasons, and he was the Finals MVP for the first three. He won league MVP titles in 2002 and 2003.

STERN CRITICIZES KNICKS: Commissioner David Stern, in an interview with ESPN, delivered a harsh assessment of the Knicks, who lost a sexual-harassment case this month. Asked what the case indicated about the state of the franchise, Stern said: "It demonstrates that they're not a model of intelligent management. There were many checkpoints along the way where more decisive action would have eliminated this issue." Madison Square Garden chairman James L. Dolan responded: "We have high regard for the commissioner. Right now, what we can all agree on is that the best thing for the Knicks is to get on the court and win some basketball games."

CAVS: Sasha Pavlovic agreed to a three-year contract, ending a lengthy holdout. Financial terms were not disclosed. The guard/forward was expected to be in Cleveland today but likely will not play in the opener against the Mavs.

CELTICS: Boston exercised its contract option on starting point guard Rajon Rondo for the 2008-09 season.

MAVS: Forward Juwan Howard agreed to terms and is expected to play immediately after clearing waivers today. He and the Timberwolves agreed to a buyout Monday.

SONICS: Guard Kevin Durant moved without limitations in his second full practice since spraining his ankle Oct. 23 and coach P.J. Carlesimo said that unless Durant's ankle swells significantly on the flight, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft will make his highly anticipated first start tonight in Denver (10:30, ESPN).

TIMBERWOLVES: Point guard Randy Foye will be out at least three weeks because of a stress reaction in his left kneecap. Foye was an all-rookie selection last season.

[Last modified October 31, 2007, 03:05:27]