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BOSTON -- San Antonio came into Boston missing three key players. Fortunately for the Spurs, Tim Duncan wasnt among them. Duncan scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, powering the injury-depleted Spurs to a 104-92 win over the Celtics on Wednesday night. "More than anything, Tim led the way for us as he has for 16 or 17 years," coach Gregg Popovich said about his team pulling away in the final quarter. Marco Belinelli added 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Spurs, who were without guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and forward Tiago Splitter -- all sidelined with injuries. Coming off a first half when he went 1 for 4 from the floor, Duncan scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting in the third to help San Antonio open a 71-66 lead after three. "I started out the second half the exact same way and finally got some to fall," he said. "They kept coming to me and I just put it in the hole. There wasnt anything I changed, anything I saw." Boris Diaw added 18 points and Duncan grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Spurs to their fifth win in seven games. "Hes had that same demeanour since Day 1 when he arrived," Popovich said of Duncan. "He doesnt get excited about wins. He doesnt get down about losses. He just loves to compete and he keeps a real steady attitude, which everybody kind of feeds off in a way." First-year Boston coach Brad Stevens thought Duncan decided to take command more after halftime. "He changed," Stevens said. "I mean, he went back to being really aggressive on the blocks. I thought in the first half we did a really good job on a couple of catches that he did have down on the block, but he kind of put (them) on his shoulders. He wasnt going to be denied -- and we dont have great matchups for him. Theres not many great matchups for him in the NBA or in the world." Rajon Rondo led Boston with 16 points and Kris Humphries and rookie Kelly Olynyk had 15 apiece. The Celtics fell to 4-18 against Western Conference teams. Duncan scored 12 points and was 5 of 6 from the floor in the fourth. "He is arguably one of the best power forwards of all time, and hes doing it at 38," Humphries said. Boston was minus guard Avery Bradley, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle. After the Celtics scored the first points of the fourth quarter on a jumper by Humphries, San Antonio went on a 12-4 run. The Spurs went 6 of 8 to start the period, keyed by Danny Greens 3 from the left corner that made it 79-70 with just under 10 minutes to play. After a foul-line jumper by Humphries, Duncan had consecutive baskets, the second a jumper that pushed the Spurs lead to 85-74 with 8:06 left. San Antonio broke it open with a 11-0 run midway into the quarter that was capped by Belinellis 3-pointer with 4 minutes left. The Spurs used a 9-2 run late in the third and opened their five-point lead heading into the fourth. Duncan didnt score his first points until a basket late in the first half. The Celtics went on a 12-0 run, bridging the end of the first quarter and the start of the second to pull to their first lead of the game, 26-25, on Phil Presseys 3-pointer. San Antonio led 48-44 at halftime. NOTES: Stevens said Bradley re-sprained the ankle that cost him five games at the end of January. Stevens said he could be out after the All-Star break. ... Before the game, Stevens praised the Spurs ability to overcome the loss of players due to injuries. "I think some of the most inspiring basketball Ive ever watched is when they dont have all their players," he said. ... The Spurs played their sixth game of a nine-game road trip that will carry over the break with the final three. Boston opens the post-break schedule with a four-game trip, starting against Phoenix next Wednesday. ... Hall of Famer Bill Russell turned 80 Wednesday. ... San Antonio beat Boston at home on Nov. 20, 104-93 in the only other meeting this season. ... Ginobili has a tight left hamstring and missed his eighth straight. Splitter was out for his third consecutive because of a bruised right shin and Parker was sidelined with lower back tightness. ... Stevens said Boston F Jared Sullinger played just 18 1/2 minutes because he was "sick." Peja Stojakovic Jersey . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. Zach Randolph Jersey . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. http://www.cheapsacramentokingsjerseys.c...a-koufos-jersey. "It was a little weird looking over and seeing all the green uniforms," he said of his first game against the Boston Celtics. 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Hes a highly emotional, energetic back whos been fun to watch.Mason, a third-round pick from Auburn, was inactive the first four games of the season. He has started the last six games and leads the Rams with 155 carries and 661 yards.However, in the 12-6 loss to Arizona, Mason managed just 33 yards on 13 carries. His 2.5 yards per attempt is the fewest Mason has averaged in any game so far this season.He also lost the first fumble of his professional career, late in the first quarter. Larry Foote recovered it at the St. Louis 27, leading to the first of four field goals for Arizonas Chandler Catanzaro.If he was hanging onto it, it wouldnt have come out, Fisher said. If he held the ball tightly it wouldnt have come out. He didnt see the defender. He was caught off guard.Mason did not duck responsibility for putting the ball on the turf.I always say theres no excuse, no matter how it happens, how it happens, for a running back to put the ball on the ground, Mason said. Theres no excuse. Like any running back would do, you try to situate the ball. Youve got to situate the ball. I saw the hole open and I made a cut without the ball pretty much.Ill never give an excuse for a fumble no matter how it happened. Thats my job as a running back to hold on to the ball.Rams offensive co-ordinator Brian Schottenheimer believes Mason is more focused on ball security.I think hes a real pridefull guy.dddddddddddd I think he was disappointed as anybody that it came out, Schottenheimer said. Hes been really, really good. I think hes just excited to go out and bounce back like we all are. We expect him to perform well.Mason may have that opportunity against New York. The Giants give up 135 yards rushing a game.Playing at home, Mason has been at his best. In the Week 13 win over Oakland, Mason scored three touchdowns, including an 89-yard run that is the second-longest in team history. It was also his second 100-yard game when he finished with 117 yards. He also caught the ball for another 47 yards in the game.Mason gained 113 yards on 29 carries in the Rams win over Denver in Week 11. Making that performance more impressive is the fact Denver entered the game with the NFLs top-ranked run defence.Fisher pointed out the Giants run defence statistics are misleading.You have to look at average per carry. Theyve been run on quite a bit, Fisher said. But keep in mind they play teams in that division that can run the football, namely Dallas. So, those numbers are affected. You have to be careful looking at numbers. Its not going to be easy to run against them.Mason is not deterred by Fishers assessment. But he also knows he has much to learn. To help himself get better, Mason said he is in contact with Rams Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk often.I talk to Marshall Faulk a lot, picking his brain, Mason said. Hes one of the greatest so I pick his brain a lot.To become a better back, Mason wants to be a combination of Faulk, Bo Jackson, Jamall Lewis and Chris Johnson. He has his sights set on becoming one of the best.I want to be the best player ever to touch the football, Mason said. Not just running backs. I want to be the best player ever.NOTES: DE Chris Long (ankle) did not participate Friday but is listed as probable for Sundays game.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '