Parker, Spurs back on track
NEW YORK—San Antonio’s Tony Parker put in another brilliant performance to compensate for the absence of his two sidekicks, helping the NBA-leading Spurs to a comfortable 111-86 win at the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Two nights after their 11-game winning streak was ended, the Spurs got back on track quickly thanks to Parker, who fell one point short of his third straight 30-point game only because he was so good he could sit out the final minutes of the rout.
In other key games, Chris Paul led the way in his second game back from injury as the Los Angeles Clippers beat New York, Boston survived triple overtime to edge Denver and notch its seventh-straight win and Miami’s LeBron James set a scoring streak record in the win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
San Antonio’s Danny Green added 14 points to help Parker in the absence of injured pair Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
Joe Johnson scored 19 points for the Nets, who have lost 19 of their past 20 against the Spurs. Brooklyn’s home woes were matched by their crosstown rivals, the New York Knicks, who were beaten, 102-88, by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Paul scored 25 points and reserve Jamal Crawford had 27 for the Clippers, who return home after Monday’s game in Philadelphia, ending an eight-game trip.
Carmelo Anthony had 42 points for the Knicks.
The Boston Celtics won a triple-overtime thriller against the Denver Nuggets, 118-114.
Paul Pierce had a triple-double with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists for Boston, including a vital triple which tied the game at the end of second overtime.
Miami’s James set a franchise record scoring streak as the Heat beat the LA Lakers, 107-97, and stretched its winning run to five games.
Lebron James had 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting to bring up a record fifth straight game with at least 30 points. OTHER RESULTS: Thunder 97, Suns 69; Grizzlies 105, Timberwolves 88; Kings 117, Rockets 111; Magic 110, Trail Blazers 104; Raptors 102, Hornets 89