Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is closely monitoring Tim Duncan's minutes as the season wears on.

He entered Sunday's game against the Clippers averaging 32.2 minutes per game, second on the team behind only Richard Jefferson.

"We always try to keep him around 32," Popovich said of Duncan. "That's the way it has to be. If we want him for the playoffs, I can't play him 38, 39 minutes a game. It won't work."

Popovich had an advantage on Sunday night, San Antonio had such a big lead over Los Angeles late that Duncan played just 25 minutes.

Duncan's regular-season minutes have declined each year since he turned 30, prior to the 2006-07 campaign.