NBA: Tim Duncan bounced back from one of the least productive games of his career to score 17 points and reserve Gary Neal had 21, sending the San Antonio Spurs to a 99-93 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference.

Dirk Nowitzki missed his second straight game because of a sprained knee ligament and the Mavericks have lost both. Dallas had won 17 of 18 with its leading scorer on the floor.

San Antonio won for the 12th time in 14 games and improved to 28-4, extending the best start in franchise history.

• Matthews powers Trail Blazers: Wesley Matthews tied a career high with 30 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 27 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 100-89, hours after learning All-Star guard Brandon Roy will be sidelined for a lengthy period because of sore knees.

• Garnett could miss two weeks: Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett could miss two weeks because of a strained right calf.

• Van Exel’s son charged with murder: The 20-year-old son of former NBA player Nick Van Exel has been charged with capital murder in the death of a close friend, Dallas police announced.

Nickey Maxwell Van Exel was arrested Wednesday night and jailed on $1 million bond in the death of Bradley Bassey Eyo, 23. Police said Eyo was found on Sunday with a gunshot wound to his upper body near Lake Ray Hubbard, on the outskirts of Dallas.

No. 8 Villanova edges city rival Temple

Men’s basketball: Corey Stokes scored 24 points, Maalik Wayns had 21 and No. 8 Villanova (11-1) won a heavyweight showdown with city rival Temple, beating the No. 25 Owls (9-3) 78-74 at Villanova, Pa.

Killebrew announces cancer diagnosis

Baseball: Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

The 74-year-old Killebrew released a statement through the Minnesota Twins, saying he expects to make a full recovery from the “very serious” condition.

Killebrew hit 573 home runs and made 11 All-Star appearances during his 22-year career spent mostly with the Washington Senators and Twins.

• Ex-manager, player Boros dies: Former big league manager and infielder Steve Boros died Wednesday night in Deland, Fla. He was 74.

Boros hit .245 with 26 home runs and 149 RBIs in parts of seven seasons with Detroit, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati. He managed the Oakland Athletics in 1983 and part of 1984, and guided the San Diego Padres in 1986.

• Man who brought Rangers to Texas dies: Tom Vandergriff, the former Dallas-area mayor who lured the Texas Rangers out of Washington nearly 40 years ago, died Thursday of natural causes at Fort Worth, Texas. He was 84.

Thrashers top Bruins during shootout

NHL: Tim Stapleton and Bryan Little scored in the first two rounds of a shootout and Toby Enstrom had two power-play goals in the Atlanta Thrashers’ 3-2 victory over the visiting Boston Bruins.

• Rangers lose center Christensen: The New York Rangers say center Erik Christensen will miss 4-to-6 weeks because of a knee injury.

NFL fines Jets for tripping episode

NFL: The NFL fined the New York Jets $100,000 for violating league rules when assistant coach Sal Alosi tripped Miami’s Nolan Carroll on the sideline during a punt return earlier this month.

The Jets were punished because Alosi “placed players in a prohibited area on the sideline to impede an opposing team’s special teams players and gain a competitive advantage.” The NFL called it “a competitive violation as well as a dangerous tactic.”

• Favre’s status remains in doubt: At the end of a long, difficult season, Brett Favre’s status for the finale is again in doubt.

After overcoming so many injuries and other personal adversity to play every week of his storied 20-year career, Favre has been too beat up to play in two of the last three games. He got knocked out of the other one.

The Vikings want him to give it one more try and start Sunday at Detroit, but by NFL concussion rules he first must be cleared by the team’s medical staff – and time is running out.

• Kitna may not play in finale: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna has missed a second straight day of practice, making it less likely he will play the season finale.

• Leg injury may sideline Vick: Michael Vick missed practice because of a leg injury and is unlikely to play Sunday when the Eagles host Dallas.

Miss. State rewards coach Mullen

College football: Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has agreed to a new contract that will pay him an average of $2.65 million over the next four years.

Mullen’s 21st-ranked Bulldogs (8-4) face Michigan in the Gator Bowl on Saturday.

• Indiana hires Boise State assistant: New Indiana football coach Kevin Wilson has named Boise State assistant Brent Pease as his offensive coordinator. Pease coached at Montana from 1991-98.

American team improves to 3-0

Junior hockey: Jack Campbell made 14 saves and Andy Iles didn’t face a shot in 9 minutes as the two U.S. goalies combined to shut out Germany 4-0 in preliminary round play in the World Junior Hockey Championships at Buffalo, N.Y.

The U.S. (3-0) has one game remaining in the preliminary round. The Americans will face Switzerland (2-1) tonight.