Boston ? With all their talent, the San Antonio Spurs don’t need an extra push to beat the Celtics. They got it anyway from their desire to extend their eight-year winning streak over Boston.

Tim Duncan had 29 points and 12 rebounds, and the Spurs pulled away in the third quarter for their 16th consecutive victory over the Celtics, 103-82, Friday night.

“It’s the same thing every time we come here,” San Antonio guard Tony Parker said. “Tim has never lost (to Boston), and neither have I. It gives us extra motivation.”

The Spurs never trailed and were threatened only in the second quarter when the Celtics cut a 26-13 deficit to 47-44 at halftime. Then Bruce Bowen hit all three of his three-point shots in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, leading the defending champions to a 73-51 lead with 4:15 left in the period.

They led by at least 18 points the rest of the way.

“I don’t feel we did anything different in the third quarter,” Duncan said. “I think they just had a great (second) quarter.”

The Celtics’ third quarter, though, was horrible. They were outscored 34-15 and trailed 81-59 going into the fourth.

“When they got up right in the third quarter, we just succumbed to the lead and gave in,” said Boston coach Doc Rivers, who gave his team an unusually long postgame talk. “And I don’t like teams that give in.”

Boston's Paul Pierce, left, and Delonte West sit on the bench during the closing minutes of the Celtics' loss to San Antonio. The Spurs won, 103-82, Friday night in Boston.

Duncan never has lost to the Celtics since being drafted with the first pick in 1997. The Celtics’ last victory over the Spurs was Jan. 8, 1997, in Boston, 107-83. Since then, 11 of San Antonio’s 16 wins have been by at least 10 points.

“The streak is a streak and not because we specifically plan on doing that,” Duncan said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. It doesn’t matter who is out on the floor. We always do the same stuff.”

It was the first lopsided outcome this season for the Celtics (2-3), who played in two overtime games and two games decided on baskets at the buzzer.

Parker added 23 points, and Bowen had 12 for the Spurs (5-1), who have Michael Finley and Brent Barry on their injured list.

The Celtics, who beat Memphis, 99-98, on Ricky Davis’ basket at the buzzer Wednesday night, were led by Paul Pierce with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Al Jefferson’s 12 points.

San Antonio needed just 41â2 minutes to turn their three-point halftime edge into a 16-point lead.

“We deflated a little bit” after that, Pierce said. “Us not playing defense really forces us to rush our shots on offense, thinking we’re going to get it all back on one play.”

Kings 101, Nuggets 85

Sacramento, Calif. – Peja Stojakovic scored 23 points to lead Sacramento. Shareef Abdur-Rahim and reserve Kevin Martin scored 14 points, and Bonzi Wells had 13 to help the Kings beat the Nuggets for the 18th straight time at Arco Arena.

Mavericks 98, Bobcats 88

Charlotte, N.C. – Dirk Nowitzki shrugged off a back problem with 23 points and 16 rebounds to lead Dallas. Nowitzki was a game-time decision for the Mavericks because of a lower back strain that sidelined him for the second half of Wednesday night’s loss at Philadelphia.

Pacers 102, Nets 90

Indianapolis – Ron Artest scored a season-high 30 points, leading Indiana. Artest, who shot 10-for-15 from the field, was one of four Pacers in double figures. Jermaine O’Neal had 20 points, reserve guard Anthony Johnson had 15 of his 19 points in the third period, and Stephen Jackson finished with 15.

Wizards 137, Sonics 96

Washington – Gilbert Arenas scored 32 points in 31 minutes, Caron Butler added a season-high 24, and Washington pulled away early then kept pouring it on to beat Seattle, the SuperSonics’ third consecutive lopsided loss away from home.

Cavaliers 89, Grizzlies 70

Cleveland – LeBron James scored 16 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Cleveland clamped down defensively on Memphis. Cleveland’s swarming defense – even the defensively challenged Ilgauskas drew two charges – held Memphis to just 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting in the third quarter when the Cavs opened a 27-point lead.

Warriors 86, Knicks 84

Oakland, Calif. – Adonal Foyle scored the go-ahead basket with 48.9 seconds left, then grabbed a crucial rebound on the other end, and Golden State survived a frantic final minute to beat Larry Brown’s winless Knicks. Baron Davis stripped the ball from Jamal Crawford on the Knicks’ final possession, and New York didn’t even get a shot off to try to forge a tie.

Pistons 84, Blazers 81

Portland, Ore. – Chauncey Billups had 21 points and 10 assists, lifting Detroit. Billups hit two free throws with 9.3 seconds left, and Zach Randolph missed a three-pointer at the finish.

Jazz 99, Raptors 84

Toronto – Mehmet Okur had 29 points and 12 rebounds to lead Utah over winless Toronto. Rookies Deron Williams and Andre Owens each added 15 points for the Jazz, whose commitment to winning was questioned by coach Jerry Sloan after a loss to New Jersey on Wednesday night.

76ers 85, Lakers 81

Philadelphia – Allen Iverson outplayed Kobe Bryant in an anticipated matchup of the league’s leading scorers, scoring 34 points and sinking the winner with 22.2 seconds left to lead Philadelphia.