Originally published Friday, February 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM

NBA | Duncan, Spurs edge Mavericks

Against a team that has a new look and new marquee player, the San Antonio Spurs kept up their winning ways Thursday by sticking to basics...

By The Associated Press

The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Against a team that has a new look and new marquee player, the San Antonio Spurs kept up their winning ways Thursday by sticking to basics — namely, their own franchise player.

Tim Duncan, called the "backbone" of the team by coach Gregg Popovich, led the Spurs with 31 points and 15 rebounds in a 97-94 victory over the made-over Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

"Offense, the ball goes through him. On defense, he's our defender, our rebounder," Popovich said. "Everybody rotates off him. He's just really special. We don't get anything done without him."

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Mavericks and dropped them to 3-2 since acquiring guard Jason Kidd from New Jersey.

With the score tied at 94, Erick Dampier fouled Duncan, who sank both shots from the line to put San Antonio up 96-94 with 34.5 seconds to go.

Dirk Nowitzki missed two shots with less than 30 seconds on the clock, and Jason Terry's shot was blocked by Bruce Bowen with 3.9 seconds left. The Spurs got the ball back with 3.3 seconds to go, and Dampier fouled Michael Finley with 0.4 left. Finley hit the first of two from the line.

"We're still a work in progress," Terry said.

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