Tony Parker poured in 27 points and Tim Duncan flirted with a triple-double to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 101-91 win over the host New Jersey Nets Friday.
Duncan, back in the line-up after missing two games with a sprained ankle, contributed 16 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while Manu Ginobili added 17 points as the Spurs warmed up in style for Sunday's showdown with the Miami Heat.
Vince Carter made San Antonio's task easier when he was ejected in the fourth quarter.
Enjoying his best game in a Nets jersey, Carter had a season-high 43 points but picked up a second technical foul following an altercation with Bruce Bowen.
The victory was the sixth in seven games for the Spurs, giving them the best record in the league at 40-11.
Sunday's clash with the Eastern Conference-leading Heat (38-14) is being hyped as a preview of the NBA finals.
In Charlotte, Shaquille O'Neal picked up 32 points and 12 rebounds as the Miami Heat eased past the Bobcats 97-87 for their ninth win in 10 outings.
Damon Jones added 22 points for Miami while Dwyane Wade had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Charlotte rookie Emeka Okafor, back in the line-up after missing five games with a sprained ankle, registered 13 points and seven rebounds before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a recurrence of the injury.
In Phoenix, the Seattle SuperSonics received double-figure performances from seven players, led by 23 points from Rashard Lewis, to upset the Suns 113-105.
Amare Stoudemire had a game-high 33 points for Phoenix and Steve Nash added 25 points and 14 assists as the Suns lost top spot in the NBA standings, one game back of the Spurs.
In Cleveland, LeBron James won his encounter with fellow sophomore Carmelo Anthony but the Denver Nuggets came away with the win, defeating the Cavaliers 106-101.
James had a game-high 35 points for the Cavaliers and Anthony answered with 14 for the Nuggets as the NBA's top young talents renewed their friendly rivalry.
Earl Boykins, the smallest player in the NBA, led the way with 20 points and eight assists as the streaking Nuggets notched their sixth victory in eight games.
In Boston, Ricky Davis grabbed 25 points and Paul Pierce 17 as the Celtics dumped the struggling New York Knicks 111-94 to post their fifth win in six contests.
Stephon Marbury had a game-high 31 points and dished out 10 assists but could not save the Knicks, who have won only three times in 2005.
In Indianapolis, Bob Sura recorded 17 points and Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady each added 16 as the Houston Rockets claimed a season-high sixth straight win by beating the Indiana Pacers 91-83.
Reggie Miller, who earlier in the day announced he would be retiring at the end of the season, had 11 points for the Pacers, who lost for the eighth time in 11 games.
In Memphis, Stromile Swift sank a season-high 23 points and Mike Miller hit for 22 to help the Grizzlies overcome the Portland Trail Blazers 88-82.
Trailing 77-71 with seven minutes remaining, Bonzi Wells sparked a comeback by Memphis to finish with 13 points and 14 rebounds against his former team.
In New Orleans, the Hornets received double-figure efforts from six players, led by 20 points from Rodney Rogers, to sneak past the Golden State Warriors 111-108 and become the last NBA team to reach 10 victories.
In Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 35 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Antawn Jamison landed a three-pointer with 45 seconds to play as the Wizards edged the Los Angeles Clippers 94-91.
In Toronto, Allen Iverson notched 30 points and Kenny Thomas added 23 as the Philadelphia 76ers pounded the Raptors 106-91 to send them to their fourth straight loss.
In Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds and Andrei Kirilenko added 20 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Utah Jazz past the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-82.
Latrell Sprewell led the Timberwolves with 16 points while twice league MVP Kevin Garnett was held to 12 points, leaving him two shy of 15,000 for his career.
In Sacramento, Dirk Nowitzki piled up 27 points as the Dallas Mavericks received double figures from six players to defeat the Kings 115-113.
Michael Finley added 19 points and Jason Terry 17 to the Dallas cause while Mike Bibby answered with 25 for the Kings.
