Parker powers Spurs past Warriors
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFP) –
Golden State Warriors’ Carl Landry (C) takes a shot during their game against the San Antonio Spurs on May 14, 2013. San Antonio beat Golden State 109-91 in game five of their NBA playoff series.
Tim Duncan had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Tony Parker carried the load in a dominant second half as San Antonio beat Golden State 109-91 in game five of their NBA playoff series.
France’s Parker scored 16 of his 25 points in second half and had 10 assists for the Spurs who seized a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven second round series.
“This was a big win for us,” Parker said. “We played better defensively.
“We played a lot harder and got the 50/50 balls. We need to do the same next game in Golden State.
San Antonio can advance to the NBA semi-finals for the eighth time in 15 years with a win Thursday night in Oakland.
Parker shot nine-of-16 from the field. The Spurs outscored Golden State 55-40 in the second half when 11 Golden State turnovers led to 18 San Antonio points.
Kawhi Leonard finished with 17 points and seven rebounds and Danny Green scored 16 points in the win.
Golden State’s star combination of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for just 13 points on six-of-22 shooting from the field. Harrison Barnes finished with 25 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
“This is a heavyweight fight,” said Golden State coach Mark Jackson. “They won the ballgame and we got out of character on both sides of the ball.”
The Spurs suffered shooting woes in a game four loss on the road but they remedied that on Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 18,581 at AT&T Center arena.
San Antonio have been dominant at home this year where they finished 35-6 during the regular season.
The Warriors insist they will rebound from this loss. They snapped a 30-game losing streak in San Antonio — dating back to Valentine’s Day, 1997 — with a win in game two.
“My guys will bounce back,” Jackson said. “We will be fine. We’re excited for game six. This is where it gets fun.”