SALT LAKE CITY -- He can't jump as high, but then again, Tim Duncan's game was never based on his vertical leaping ability anyway.
That seemed to be the consensus among Utah Jazz players before Monday's game with the San Antonio Spurs and their famed 35-year-old power forward.
"Heck no," Jazz center Al Jefferson said when asked if he'd noticed Duncan's skill diminish. "The only thing I see in Tim Duncan is that he just can't get off the floor like he used to. But when you're 7-feet (tall) you really don't have to jump that high. That's the only thing I see."
Duncan, who came into Monday's game averaging 21.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in 51 career regular-season games against the Jazz, doesn't quite have the same style of play he used to, but the consensus is, he's craftier.
He played 37 minutes on Monday and scored 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and a blocked shot.
"As time flies, you know athleticism is going to diminish a little bit, but he's an All-Star player, he's a veteran, he's been in this league a while," Jazz power forward Paul Millsap said. "He's got wisdom. He's smart enough to know how to get out there and play without using that athleticism."
For his career, Duncan has averaged 20.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots per game. This season, his 15th, he is averaging 13.7 points, 8.6 points and 1.4 blocks.
"He's probably one of the smartest players to play the game," said Jazz point guard Devin Harris. "He understands when to shoot, when to pass, how to get guys open. He sets great screens and he reads defenses a lot better."
GAME 31 Spurs 106, Jazz 102
* BEST PLAY: With 7:29 left in the third, Devin Harris throws a long, perfectly-placed lob pass to Gordon Hayward, who streaks to the rim, gabs the ball and throws down a nasty dunk to five the Jazz a 69-58 lead.
* BEST LINE: Tony Parker scored a game-high 23 points on 7-for-16 shooting. He also added 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals.
* KEY STAT: In a game where the Jazz had more points in the paint, second chance points, fastbreak points and rebounds (and each team had 15 turnovers), the Spurs made 30 trips to the free throw line compared to Utah's 23.
* HE'S THE MANU: Before the game, Hayward said he grew up watching and respecting the Spurs for the tough, hard-nosed way they play. In particular, he was a fan of Spurs' guard Manu Ginobili.
"It was always great watching the Spurs play because they always seemed to do what they could to get the job done," he said. "Manu is one of the reasons I picked No. 20 growing up. They're whole team, they're just winners."
* MILESTONE: The Spurs haven't lost a road game since Jan. 29 in Dallas. That's eight in a row now.
* ETC.: Karl Malone was in attendance at Monday's game. Afterward he and Jazz CEO Greg Miller had a long talk (lasting more than a half hour) in the coaches offices outside the locker room. ... Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll, who signed with the Jazz on Feb. 8, was on the active roster for the first time. ... The Spurs extended their winning streak to an NBA-best 11 games. ... San Antonio had three players with 20 or more points. ... Matt Bonner had 20, which was good but not as good as the career-high 28 he scored against the Jazz on Dec. 7, 2009 at EnergySolutions Arena.
* UP NEXT: The Jazz will visit the Timberwolves Wednesday night in Minnesota, then it's All-Star break time. After that, their next game is Feb. 28 at Sacramento, then Feb. 29th at home vs. Houston.
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