SAN ANTONIO – Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and began a key third-quarter burst that helped the San Antonio Spurs beat the Knicks 99-81 last night. Tony Parker added 18 points and a season-high nine assists for the Spurs, who improved to 6-1 this season. The Spurs, who led by six points at the half, shot 52% after the break while holding the Knicks to only 36% in the second half. Still, New York pulled to 54-52 with 8 minutes left in the third quarter on a tip-in by Nazr Mohammed.

But Duncan made a 12-foot turnaround jumper to start a 13-4 run for the Spurs, and the lead rarely fell below 10 points thereafter.

Another 13-4 burst midway through the fourth quarter increased San Antonio’s advantage to 91-73.

Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 16 points and Tim Thomas had 15, but together they made only 11 of their 30 shots.

Bruce Bowen, coming off a career high 22 at Atlanta on Saturday, added 13 points and Brent Barry had 12 for the Spurs – including 3-for-5 on 3-pointers.

San Antonio had 25 assists, compared to 14 for the Knicks.

Stephon Marbury, held to three points on 1-for-3 shooting in a foul shortened first half, finished with 13 on 4-for-12 shooting. Mohammed also had 13 points, but shot 4-for-11. Kurt Thomas had 11 rebounds for the Knicks.

New York dominated the opening quarter and the Spurs took over in the second.

A free throw by Jerome Williams gave the Knicks a 24-17 lead, its biggest of the night, but San Antonio came back with a 13-3 run to take the lead for good.

The Spurs expanded their advantage to 50-42 on a 3-pointer by Ginobili with about two minutes left in the half.

The Spurs made 29 of their 33 free throws, for an impressive 94%. Coming into the game, they were shooting only 70% at the line, among the worst in the NBA. The Knicks are now 9-24 playing in San Antonio.

They will complete the Texas Triangle, with games in Dallas tomorrow and Houston on Friday.