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MIAMI - Tim Duncan offered a rare acknowledgement: Hes thinking about the end of his career. No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. But a player who has almost always declined the chance to discuss his own legacy after 17 seasons in the NBA — all with the Spurs — Duncan provided a glimpse of whats going through his mind as his career is clearly much closer to the end than the beginning. "I think in the last couple years Ive really kind of taken a step back and stopped and enjoyed what the journey means," Duncan said on the eve of Game 4 of these NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, a series that the Spurs lead 2-1. "I think, as it comes to a close on my career — and I know it is — I appreciate it more." The 38-year-old Duncan has been superb so far in this series, averaging 17.7 points on nearly 65 per cent shooting from the floor. If the Spurs win the championship, it would be Duncans fifth crown. Only 13 players in NBA history have ever been part of more championship series than that. And if Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knows Duncans exit plans — this year, next year, or otherwise — hes not tipping his hand. "It will probably be the third quarter of some game on the road some year, and hell feel like hes not as significant and hell walk into the locker room," Popovich said earlier in this series. Before the start of this rematch finals against Miami, Duncan — who has an option for next season at just over $10 million, an absolute bargain by NBA standards for someone at his level of production — said hes not thinking about retirement and doesnt even "care about any of that stuff." On Wednesday, he acknowledged that hes savoring these finals, since nothing about the future is ever guaranteed. "I appreciate every game more," Duncan said. "I appreciate every accomplishment, and everything that we get to go through and every experience, knowing that it might be the last time I do it." Custom Sacramento Kings Jerseys .J. Hardy finally got in on the fun Saturday, against a likely opponent. Yogi Ferrell Jersey . Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Authentic-Mike-Bibby-Kings-Jersey/ . Freddie Roach said if the Rios fight "does not go well, we will seriously talk about his retirement," but that Pacquiao was training as well as ever for the Nov. Chris Webber Jersey . Saltalamacchia drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, Henderson Alvarez won for the first time in three starts and the Miami Marlins beat the Braves 3-2 on Thursday night. DeAaron Fox Kings Jersey . CEO Steve Koonin on Tuesday told the Hawks flagship radio station that he made the decision to discipline Ferry but allowed him to keep his job managing the team. He did not say what the punishment was, but noted that he relied on a law firms three-month investigation of Ferry and him describing Deng as someone who has a little African in him.CHICAGO - The Chicago Bulls went right inside to Pau Gasol on their first possession, and just kept feeding the big man. There was no reason to go anywhere else.Gasol had a career-high 46 points to go along with 18 rebounds, and the Bulls bounced back from two ugly losses with a 95-87 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.He wasnt going to let us lose tonight, coach Tom Thibodeau said.Gasol was 17 for 30 from the field and 12 for 13 at the line in his 20th double-double of the season. He became the first player to record at least 46 points and 18 rebounds for Chicago since Michael Jordan had 69 points and 18 rebounds in a 117-113 overtime victory at Cleveland on March 28, 1990, according to STATS.You start making your first couple of shots, your teammates start looking for you, and I was able to find good spots and get in rhythm, the 34-year-old Gasol said. I give a lot of credit to my teammates. They made a lot of plays for me and looked for me a lot of times.Kirk Hinrich added 16 points for Chicago, and Jimmy Butler had nine points, a career-best 10 assists and eight rebounds in the opener of a three-game homestand.The Bulls were coming off a pair of bad losses to Utah and Washington, when they shot a combined 36 per cent from the field. They werent much better against Milwaukee, finishing at 40 per cent (35 for 88), but Gasols big performance was enough to hold off the Bucks.He was very comfortable right from the first shot of the game, Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd said. He was very comfortable and you could see that. We have to do a better job at making him feel uncomfortable.Brandon Knight scored 20 points for Milwaukee, which had won its last five road games. Jared Dudley had 15 points, and fellow reserve O.J. Mayo finished with 12.Milwaukee trailed for the entire first half, but moved in front with a 12-2 run to begin the third quarter. Knight had two jumpers in the surge.The Bulls responded with a 10-0 run of their own for a 60-51 lead with 4:43 to go. Butler capped the surge with two free throws after he drew a foul on Khris Middleton while shooting a 3 as the shot clock expired.Gasol thenn helped the Bulls close it out in the final period.dddddddddddd He had a driving layup that made it 87-75 with 4:01 remaining. He finished with four straight free throws, surpassing his previous career best of 44 points for Memphis against Seattle on March 28, 2006.We kept trying, but we never could get stops when we wanted to, Knight said. They were able to keep the lead in a comfortable position for them.The Bulls played without starters Derrick Rose and Mike Dunleavy. Rose, who missed much of the last 2 1/2 seasons due to a series of injuries, was sidelined by left knee soreness, and Dunleavy missed his fifth straight game with a right ankle injury.Dunleavy had an MRI and was scheduled to see team physician Dr. Brian Cole on Saturday night. Rose also was expected to meet with Cole, and the point guard also could be headed for an MRI depending on the result of the examination. Thibodeau said after the game that he had no update on either player.MISSINGMilwaukees visit to the United Center was supposed to be Jabari Parkers first NBA game in his hometown, but the rookie forward is out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last month.STARTING ASSIGNMENTBulls guard Tony Snell had two points, six rebounds and two assists in his first start of the season. He made 12 starts during his rookie year last season.I thought Tony gave us really good minutes defensively, Thibodeau said.TIP-INSBucks: F Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) missed his 10th straight game, but Kidd said he will make the trip to London for Thursdays game against the Knicks. The plan is for him to play there, Kidd said. Well see. ... Knight tweaked his right ankle while guarding Butler with 10:46 left in the third, but stayed in the game. ... F Kenyon Martin left his second game with Milwaukee with a chest contusion.Bulls: Gasol had 28 points on 11-for-18 shooting at halftime. ... The Bulls improved to 10-2 in their last 12 home games.UP NEXTBucks: Play the New York Knicks in London on Thursday.Bulls: Host Orlando on Monday night.___Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap ' ' '