Parker shines as Spurs down Warriors for series lead

OAKLAND, California (AFP) –

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against Andrew Bogut of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2013 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Parker scored 25 of his 32 points in the first half, giving San Antonio an early boost en route to a 102-92 victory

Tony Parker scored 25 of his 32 points in the first half to give the San Antonio Spurs an early boost en route to a 102-92 NBA playoff victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The victory gave the Spurs a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series. They regained home court advantage after the Warriors had come away from the first two games in San Antonio with a 1-1 split.

Golden State will host the Spurs in game four on Sunday.

Tim Duncan scored 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Manu Ginobili scored all 12 of his points in the second half for the Spurs, who shot 50.6 percent from the field while holding the Warriors to 30.9 percent shooting.

“It’s a big win for us,” Parker said. “We didn’t play well the first two games at home.

“I think it was the first time in the series we played Spurs basketball. We got a lot more physical, played pretty good defense and on offense we moved the ball.”

Klay Thompson scored 17 points for Golden State, whose sharpshooter Stephen Curry added 16 but was held to 5-of-17 shooting from the floor.

Whenever the Warriors trimmed the deficit, the Spurs found an answer.

The Warriors opened the third quarter with a 17-8 scoring run that tied the score at 65-65.

San Antonio responded however, to lead 79-69 after three quarters.

Golden State again fought back, pulling within a point as Thompson drained a three-pointer and Draymond Green banked in a shot to narrow the gap to 79-78.

Green was fouled on the shot, but was unable to complete the three-point play. Golden State wouldn’t get any closer.

“We made shots and they didn’t have as good a night shooting the ball,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Sometimes it’s as simple as that.”

Even worse for Golden State, Curry appeared to be hindered in the fourth quarter after twisting his recently sprained left ankle.

“Icing it. Get treatment. We’ll see where he’s at,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said of Curry’s status for Sunday.

“They out-played us, they out-worked us and they were the aggressor,” Jackson said. “That being said, we’re still a confident basketball team. There were some good things tonight and there were some things that we’ve certainly got to do better, but this series is certainly not over.”

Parker said the Spurs are prepared for the Warriors to bounce back.

“It’s going to be a long series,” he said. “It’s only one win. I expect Golden State to come back and make some adjustments and play better on Sunday. We’re going to have to match that and match the energy.”