Injuries may be taking their toll but warhorse North Queensland prop Matt Scott is being backed to play until at least 2020 by someone who knows whats it takes - Petero Civoniceva.Scott has been placed in cotton wool by the Cowboys ahead of Friday nights NRL preliminary final against Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.The North Queensland prop is nursing a list of ailments including a bulging disc in his back and was in obvious pain during last weeks extra-time semi-final win over Brisbane.Still, the 31-year-old this week backed himself to not only step up in the Cowboys title defence but also play on until at least the end of 2020.Long-serving Test prop Civoniceva believed Scott - off contract in 2017 - had at least four seasons left despite the Cowboys front rowers worrying ailments.Civoniceva - who played until the age of 36 - said experience and age could also work in Scotts favour.For sure he can keep going. Obviously it is up to how his body responds, Civoniceva told AAP.The week to week grind can take its toll but knowing Matt, he is the ultimate professional.And that comes easier when you get older.He has learned that the longer you play the better you understand your body and know what works and what doesnt work.Scott said this week that he hoped to re-sign until at least 2020 with contract talks to start in the off-season.Civoniceva - State of Origins most capped prop with 33 for Queensland - saluted ex-Maroons teammate Scotts durability in his 13th season.That just shows his toughness, he said.No one can ever question that about him, he just rolls up the sleeves and gets on with it.Last week you could see he was in discomfort but its a testament to his mental and physical strength.No doubt he will again lead from the front on Friday night.Scott underwent off-season surgery on a bulging disc in his neck.Cowboys coach Paul Green hinted that his co-captain may require some more medical assistance after their 2016 campaign.He copped an elbow (in the back) early against Brisbane which added just one more thing to the list of stuff he has to deal with on a weekly basis, Green said.I dont want to understate what he has to put himself through to get himself on the paddock.But there is nothing that stops him from functioning. 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He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. MILWAUKEE -- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich cant figure out why his team plays so much better on the road than at home.As long as they keep winning, Popovich will gladly take the results.LaMarcus Aldridge was credited for the go-ahead basket with 21.2 seconds left after Giannis Antetokounmpo was whistled for goaltending, completing the Spurs rally from 15 points down midway through the third quarter in a 97-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.You dont win every game by 20. They played well. Thats how they stuck with us. Theyre young and athletic and hungry, Popovich said in typical gruff fashion.What are we, the Magic Johnson Lakers with Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) and everybody? Were just like everybody else, he added.Milwaukee had one last shot to retake the lead, but Mirza Teletovic missed an open 3-pointer from the right corner with 3.9 seconds left. Aldridge secured the rebound and the Spurs ran out the clock.The Bucks went the final 2:25 without a bucket.You cannot afford to make a lot of mistakes and put them in the game, Antetokounmpo said. They can take away the game as they did tonight.San Antonio extended its season-opening road winning streak to 12 games in thrilling fashion. Aldridge had 18 points. Kawhi Leonard finished with 22 points and nine boards.The Spurs improved to 17-4 overall, but dont ask Popovich about the home-road disparity.I dont care, I have no clue, he said before the game. You ask me, Im the coach, Im supposed to know? Ask me about the .500 at home. Start with the bad.Aldridge had 18 points, while Kawhi Leonard finished with 21 points and nine rebounds.BUCKS BALLJabari Parker had 23 points, picking up the slack for much of the fourth quarter with Antetokounmpo on the bench with five fouls.Parker slashed through the lane for buckets and rebounds. But the team went scoreless after Parkers running bucket with 2:25 left for a three-point lead.You can aalso grow from losing, too, coach Jason Kidd said.dddddddddddd I think tonight, we can learn a lot from our mistakes.Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.DEDMON ONThe Spurs bench keyed the second-half rally. San Antonio trailed 57-42 with 7:27 left in the third before reserves Dewayne Dedmon (10 points) and Nicholas Laprovittola (five assists) gave the team a spark.Dedmon made them guard a different way because he was at the rim. He was really special for us, Popovich said.TENSE MOMENTTensions rose late in the third quarter after Dedmon and Monroe grappled for a rebound. San Antonios Davis Bertans and Milwaukees Michael Beasley were ejected for their roles in the shoving match.TIP-INS:Spurs: G Tony Parker started after missing the previous two games with a thigh contusion. He had six points and five assists in 18 minutes before limping off with about 9 minutes left in the third quarter after falling hard to the floor and appearing to grab at his left knee. Parker stayed on the bench the rest of the night, and Popovich said he could be out for a while. ... The Spurs hit their first three 3-point shots of the game before going 1 of 11 from behind the arc the rest of the first half. They trailed 48-35 at halftime.Bucks: Antetokounmpo was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. The Bucks went 3-0 last week, including a 17-point home win over the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.UP NEXTSpurs: Play the second game of a three-game swing through the Midwest at Minnesota on Tuesday. San Antonio has won seven straight against the Timberwolves.Bucks: Host Portland on Wednesday. Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts was the Bucks head coach from 2005-07. ' ' '