Parker's career game gives Spurs commanding 3-0 advantage
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...r.42539ce.html
Web Posted: 04/26/2008 01:31 AM CDT
Jeff McDonald
Express-News
PHOENIX — Tim Duncan turned a year older Friday. Pressed, the Spurs forward admitted his first day as a 32-year-old didn't feel much different than his last day at 31.
"I feel about the same," he joked. "Old and slow."
Luckily for Duncan, and unfortunately for Phoenix, he has a younger, quicker running buddy.
Tony Parker scored a career-high 41 points and handed out 12 assists to lead the Spurs to a 115-99 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference playoff series at US Airways Center on Friday.
It gave the Spurs a 3-0 series lead, pushing them within a game of eliminating the Suns for the fourth time in six years. They get their first crack at that with Game 4 on Sunday.
No team in NBA history has recovered from an 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series. There is a reason the Spurs stand on the brink of a sweep.
"We possibly played our best game of the year," coach Gregg Popovich said.
Parker played the game of his life.
The 25-year-old Frenchman became the second Spurs player to score 40 points in the series. Duncan had 40 in Game 1.
"C'est magnifique," Spurs guard Brent Barry said, describing Parker's night in the point guard's native tongue.
Or, roughly translated: "It was awesome," Barry said.
Duncan, the birthday boy, added 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs. Playing on a heavily taped left ankle, Manu Ginobili had 20 points.
Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Shaquille O'Neal had 19 points and 6 rebounds — despite being hacked into a 9-of-17 effort from the foul line.
The only team in the NBA not to suffer a three-game losing streak during the regular season, Phoenix became the first team this year to suffer one in the playoffs. If they can't break that slide Sunday, the Suns' season is over.
"Whatever we tried to do, it seemed like they had an answer for it," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Everything went their way, they made it go their way, or we contributed to it."
Before the game, Parker sheepishly admitted he hadn't given Duncan anything for his birthday, but no matter. The Suns are the gift that keeps on giving.
The Spurs shot 56.1 percent from the field, and took a 33-19 lead in the first quarter. They never trailed, and led for the final 37:38 — including by as many as 23 in the second half.
"We learned from our past mistakes where we go up 2-0, and can't get a win on the road," Parker said. "That's why we came out firing. Me personally, same thing. I always like to start great."
Parker opened hot, throwing in jumper after jumper in the first quarter, which was a bad sign for the Suns. Less than six minutes into the game, he had 10 points and six assists, and the Spurs were up by double digits.
Even the old, slow Duncan flashed some young and quick moments. Early in the first half, he took a feed from Parker — and promptly dunked on Stoudemire.
On Suns' ensuing possession, Stoudemire attempted to return the favor. Duncan rejected him.
All of that was lost in the glare of the most dazzling game of Parker's still budding career.
For Phoenix, the frustration hit its zenith just before half. Again, Parker was the cause.
Stoudemire had just hit one of two foul shots to pull the Suns within 12 points. After a timeout, the Spurs inbounded to Parker, who weaved 60 feet in 4.2 seconds to toss in a floater at the horn.
After Parker's 18th and 19th points of the first half, Stoudemire grabbed the ball from the net and flung it into the goal support.
Before the fourth quarter dawned, Parker had already totaled 30 points and 11 assists.
He added 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer, but by that point they were mostly cosmetic.
"My only focus was be aggressive, learn from the past and just be more mature," Parker said.
Duncan celebrated a birthday Friday. Young and quick, Parker grew up as well.
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Sweet!"My only focus was be aggressive, learn from the past and just be more mature," Parker said.
Duncan celebrated a birthday Friday. Young and quick, Parker grew up as well.
Yeesh...they're really being non-chalant about his injuries. Hopefully Manu heals up as the games progress. And Parker can throw down another forty to earn his boys some rest.Playing on a heavily taped left ankle, Manu Ginobili had 20 points.
The Suns are the gift that keeps on giving.
Yeah, Tony and Manu are both pretty banged up. So let's sweep these mofo's and hope the Dallas-NO series goes 7.
Exactly my hope. A couple of extra days of rest would be great, especially for Manu.
Ouch. That was cold.The Suns are the gift that keeps on giving.
[QUOTE=Kori Ellis;2432427]Yeah, Tony and Manu are both pretty banged up. So let's sweep these mofo's and hope the Dallas-NO series goes 7.
never seen kori that excited before, brings bnack memory of the forum..Dallas in 9
What a wonderful birthday present for Tim Duncan.
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