SEATTLE (AP) Tim Duncan had 27 points and 20 rebounds, leading the San Antonio Spurs to their ninth straight victory.

The defending NBA champions improved their record to 18-10, including 7-7 on the road. They can tie the Los Angeles Lakers for the longest winning streak in the NBA this season with a win at Portland on Saturday night.

Tony Parker scored 16 points and Manu Ginobili added 14 for the Spurs, who have their longest winning streak since they won 10 straight in the 2001-2002 season.

The Sonics, who lost their third straight game, got 15 points from Ronald Murray, who shot a paltry 6-for-26.

Lakers 101, Nuggets 99

LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant hit a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer after arriving late from a court hearing in Colorado.

Bryant took the inbounds pass from Devean George, drove left, pump-faked defender Jon Barry off his feet and sank the winning jumper from the top of the key before falling on his rear end. He was mobbed by teammates, and the crowd that had welcomed him with a loud ovation at the start of the second quarter went wild.

Shaquille O'Neal had 26 points, 11 rebounds and made 10 of 17 free throws to help the Lakers end a two-game losing streak. They are 13-1 at Staples Center.

Bryant finished with 13 points and five assists in 31 minutes after missing the first quarter.