--C Brook Lopez faced his idol, Tim Duncan, again. After being hit for 30 points by Duncan last month, Lopez studied tapes to improve defensively. He did, only a bit. Duncan scored 27. "He still scored," said Lopez who marveled at Duncan also getting nine rebounds and eight assists. "He showed what a great facilitator he is. He did a great job of being patient and taking what the defense gave him."

--G Devin Harris, who enters the break as the Nets' leading scorer at 21.8 points, also enters as their lone All-Star. He said his goal for Phoenix is to learn and have fun in Phoenix. "It's a great day, a big stepping stone in my career," Harris said. "Hopefully, it's the first and not the last... I'm going to enjoy my time when I'm out there and learn from the veteran guys but I'm just looking to have some fun." Harris ended the pre-break schedule with 21 points, his 25th game of 20 or more.

--G Vince Carter, who had sat out Sunday with a strained right elbow -- the first game he missed all season -- was back in the starting lineupagainst the Spurs. Carter was headed to a special night -- 21 points early in the third quarter -- but the Spurs adjusted and Carter scored just four points the rest of the way. "I saw Timmy (Duncan) out there loading with three guys, actually. I tried to move the ball and get guys open to often them up. But it didn't work," Carter said.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Yi Jianlian is out until after the All-Star break, recovering from a broken right pinkie.

--F Bobby Simmons is out with a left lower abdominal strain. He missed his fifth straight game. He is expected back after the All-Star break.

--F Eduardo Najera is out with a right lower abdominal strain. He is expected back after the All-Star break. Tests for any tears were negative. He is also battling a sore wrist.