Spurs even series, but Parker is hurt
Kawhi Leonard had 34 points, eight assists and seven rebounds Wednesday night and the San Antonio Spurs overcame the loss of Tony Parker in a 121-96 victory over the Houston Rockets at San Antonio, tying their Western Conference semifinal series at one win apiece.
Parker did not return after suffering a left leg injury with 8:43 to play. Spurs officials said that Parker will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday morning and they would update his status after, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after that game that “it’s not good.”
Parker fell to the court after missing an uncontested short jumper. He grabbed his left knee immediately upon landing and remained on the court for a few minutes. He attempted to walk but had to be carried by teammates to the locker room. Spurs owner Julianna Hawn Holt rose from her courtside seat to point and scream at an official after Parker exited the game.
Parker finished with 18 points and four assists in 26 minutes.
Houston point guard James Harden was limited to 13 points on three-for-17 shooting.
The Rockets made 11 of 34 three-point shots after making 22 of 50 in their 126-99 victory in Game 1 on Monday night. Game 3 is Friday at Houston.
at Cleveland 125, Toronto 103: LeBron James scored 39 points, passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time playoff scoring list and pushed the Cavaliers to a lopsided victory in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Just like a year ago in the conference finals, the Cavaliers hold a 2-0 lead on the Raptors, who have been blown out in five consecutive playoff games at Cleveland, losing by an average of 24.2 points.
Game 3 is Friday at Toronto.
James, who has won a road game in 27 consecutive series and appears determined to toss the Raptors aside, made 10 of 14 shots. He made four three-point shots and 15 free throws.
“He did miss six free throws,” cracked Toronto’s Kyle Lowry. “He’s playing unbelievable. He’s playing like LeBron James.”
Kyrie Irving had 22 points and 11 assists and Channing Frye scored 18 points for the reigning champions, who are 6-0 so far defending their title.
Cleveland is 9-0 since losing Game 4 of last year’s NBA Finals, and in those games James has averaged 34.9 points, 10 rebounds and 8.1 assists.
Reserve Jonas Valanciunas led the Raptors with 23 points. DeMar DeRozan scored only five.