Los Angeles - The San Antonio Spurs turned up their trademark defense down the stretch to turn back another opponent.

Tim Duncan had 19 points with nine rebounds, and Argentine Manu Ginobili blocked Dwyane Wade's shot in the final minutes as the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 91-84 on Monday night en route to their eighth win in the last nine games.

"It was a good defensive game both ways," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. "The defense was sound and we were able to make a couple of shots down the stretch. That's the way we have to be if we want to do anything at the end of the season."

Los Angeles - Even though it's a new year, old familiar faces Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers continue as the top vote-getters in the NBA All-Star balloting for their respective Eastern and Western Conferences.

Howard, the league's top rebounder, remains the overall leader with 1,709,088 votes, while reigning league Most Valuable Player Bryant received 1,534,020, after the results of the third returns were announced on Thursday.

Los Angeles - LeBron James got the best of fellow-superstar Dwyane Wade, and the Cleveland Cavaliers kept their house in perfect order.

James tossed in 33 points - four more than Wade - and the Cavaliers moved to 16-0 at home, with a 93-86 come-from behind victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday night.

"Any good or great team tries to take care of home court first and then tries to play well on the road," said James, whose 27.3 average is second to Wade's league-best 28.9.

Los Angeles - Holiday shoppers stuffing Christmas stockings found time to fill ballot boxes for Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant.

Howard, the Orlando Magic centre, and reigning league MVP Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers top the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, respectively, in the latest NBA All-Star voting results released Thursday.

Howard, pulling down an NBA-best 13.9 rebounds, has collected the most votes overall at 1,421,882. Bryant, who has led the Lakers to a Western Conference-best 23-5 record, accumulated 1,280,912 votes.

Los Angeles  - The Boston Celtics gave themselves an early Christmas gift - and one that money can't buy - a place in the franchise and NBA record books.

Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo scored 18 points apiece as the surging Celtics rolled to their 19th consecutive victory Tuesday night, beating the visiting Philadelphia
76ers 110-91.

"We haven't really kept up with the streak, but any time you win, any time you establish yourself in history is always a great thing," Garnett said. "I'm happy to be a part of it. It's a special group and we're working hard."

However, Garnett and his teammates continue to downplay the historical run, focusing instead on the big picture.

Los Angeles  - LeBron James may put an end to all of the speculation about his free agency in 2010.

The superstar swingman of the Cleveland Cavaliers told the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Saturday that he would consider signing a contract extension after this season, which would take him off the most anticipated free agent market in years.

"You play out this season, of course; I will consider it," James told the newspaper before the Cavaliers practiced at the Pepsi Center in Denver. "The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more."

Cleveland is 22-4, the second-best record in the NBA behind the defending champion Boston Celtics (25-2). The Cavaliers have won 13 of their last 14 games.