Parker responds after rest as
Spurs beat Hornets
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...r.127cbb15.html
Web Posted: 03/15/2006 12:14 PM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
Tony Parker arrived at practice Monday morning, in his words, feeling like a snail. Playing five games in seven days had left his legs heavy and his body weak.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saw the same. So after putting the team through a film session and a light stretching drill, Popovich uttered the three words his point guard most hoped to hear: Bring it in.
"When Pop gives us a day off, I really appreciate it," Parker said. "But you have to take advantage of it and reward him."
Parker did just that. Totaling 20 points, 11 assists and a season-high four steals, he paced the
Spurs to a 96-81 victory over New Orleans on Tuesday night in front of another sellout crowd of 18,797 at the AT&T Center.
The Spurs' 50th victory in 64 games also guaranteed them a playoff berth.
"He had his juice back tonight," Popovich said. "He looked like the Tony he's been all year long."
With Parker refreshed,
Brent Barry continued his own renaissance, albeit at the expense of the team that may have started it. He made all six shots, including four 3-pointers, against the Hornets, who were about 15 minutes from finalizing a trade for him Feb.23.
Barry's 16 points matched the season high he established only two games earlier and were 15 more than that scored by the player for whom he was nearly traded — guard J.R. Smith. In addition to compensating for
Manu Ginobili, who missed all seven shots, Barry continued to run the floor well, and his cross-court passing helped trigger more than a few fast breaks.
"Imagine if they call you in the morning and tell you you're traded and then two hours after, they tell you you're still on the team," Parker said. "That's got to be tough.
"Then he comes back and is playing better. It looks like he's shooting with confidence, and that's what we want from him."
The Hornets, meanwhile, could use a boost to their self-esteem. After winning nine of 10 games to surge into the All-Star break with the Western Conference's sixth seed, they limped into the AT&T Center with a six-game losing streak, having lost their grip, at least temporarily, on a playoff berth.
"You have to get that monkey off your back as soon as possible," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. "I think they are getting angrier and angrier with each loss. To me, that is a good thing."
The Hornets began the game without center P.J. Brown, who was sidelined with an ankle injury, then lost starting small forward Desmond Mason in the opening minutes after he bruised his left knee. Two other starters, Marc Jackson and David West, picked up three fouls in the first half.
New Orleans' foul trouble allowed the
Spurs to parade to the free-throw line. They took 24 foul shots in the first half, almost one more than their per-game average. Even more surprising: They made 19.
Nazr Mohammed, who contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, was 4 of 4 from the line, making him 28 for his past 32.
"We haven't been real great at (free-throw shooting)," Popovich said. "But at this point, I think a lot of people who haven't done well before have become confident because of the work they've put in."
That includes Parker, whose foul shooting has improved over the past month. He made 4 of 5 free throws Tuesday and 8 of 16 shots from the field while dueling Rookie of the Year favorite Chris Paul.
Paul and Parker, who have become friends, had lunch Tuesday afternoon.
"We talk about the game and what I went through my first three years," Parker said. "He's already on his way. He's going to be great."
Paul, who hasn't completely recovered from a torn ligament in his right thumb, totaled 16 points, seven assists and three steals. Like most opposing point guards this season, he had trouble keeping Parker out of the lane.
Parker was glad to have his quickness back. In the previous two games, he had scored a total of 18 points.
"The last two, three games it felt like the whole summer was catching up with me," Parker said. "A day off to just rest felt great."
