Parker, Ginobili Combine For 62, Lead Spurs Past Hornets 110-99

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA PLAYOFFS

?????????????????????????????????????

When you’re the San Antonio Spurs and you’re down two games to none, you probably are looking to revise your game plan to overcome the deficiencies that got you in the current position that you’re in.? The Spurs apparently did some revision as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili shouldered the load in Thursday’s game against the New Orleans Hornets, combining for 62 points, boosting San Antonio to a key 110-99 win over New Orleans at AT&T Center.

The Hornets took an early 8-0 lead before the Spurs regrouped and went into the second quarter only down by 2; San Antonio led by as many as 4 points in the period after Michael Finley drained a 3-pointer to give them a 41-37.? After Parker hit a jumper with 49 seconds left in the half, the Hornets’ Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson hit a trey each to give New Orleans a 56-49 lead with 23 seconds left; however, the Spurs’ Bruce Bowen hit a 3 and Ginobili drained a buzzer-beater which brought San Antonio to within 2 at halftime.

Unlike previous third quarters in this series, the Spurs didn’t collapse as Tim Duncan, Parker and Ginobili scored all but 3 of the team’s 29 points in the?period; but the Hornets wouldn’t vanish as Chris Paul scored 11 points in the quarter.? Paul would hit a basket and would also make a 3-point play to bring?New Orleans to within 77-76.? After trading leads most of the game, the Spurs would go into the fourth quarter leading 83-78.? Early in the final quarter, Ginobili led a Spurs charge as he would hit a rare 4-point play on an ill-advised foul by the Hornets’ Bonzi Wells; the play put San Antonio up 87-82?and another 3-pointer by Ginobili 38 seconds later made their lead 90-84.?

The Hornets would get to within 90-88 before the Spurs took over as they went on an 11-0 run to take a 101-88 advantage, icing the game for San Antonio.? San Antonio was led by Parker and Ginobili with 32 points each – with Parker grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists while Ginobili draining 3 three-pointers, grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists; Duncan added 16 with 13 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 4 blocks.? New Orleans’ high scorer was Paul with 35 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists and a steal while David West scored 23 with 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks.? San Antonio, despite the win, are down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series; they look to tie the series as they host New Orleans again on Sunday at 8:00 PM EST.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox