Print

Mail

wiki links

NBA: Parker lifts Spurs past hapless Bulls

Sacramento Kings forward Mikki Moore reacts after dunking over Boston Celtics defender Kendrick Perkins in the second half of their NBA game in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday. The Celtics won 89-69. PHOTO: AP

Tony Parker scored 28 points on Wednesday as the San Antonio Spurs downed the struggling Chicago Bulls 94-79 in a National Basketball Association contest.

Michael Finley chipped in 15 points for the Spurs, who won despite the absence of Manu Ginobili, who was out with a sprained left index finger.

Parker shot 12-of-19 from the field in his second game back after missing four contests with a sprained left ankle.

For the Bulls, it was a familiar result despite a sideline shakeup.

Coach Scott Skiles got the sack on Christmas Eve, so assistant Pete Myers was in charge as interim coach.

Chicago were able to keep the game close early, and led 22-21 at the end of the first quarter.

But by halftime the Spurs led 51-39, pulling away with a 24-5 scoring run to launch the second quarter.

Chicago narrowed the gap to eight points early in the third period, but that was as close as they got. San Antonio stretched the advantage to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Bruce Bowen, Ime Udoka and Matt Bonner all scored 12 points for the Spurs, while Tim Duncan notched eight points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Hornets 116, Grizzlies 98

In Memphis, Chris Paul had 40 points and nine assists, and New Orleans used a third-quarter spurt to beat the Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Paul shot 17-of-25 from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range, as the Hornets won their third straight.

Pistons 101, Nets 83

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Richard Hamilton scored 22 points and Detroit shot 78 percent in the third quarter in beating New Jersey to record its sixth straight victory.

Hamilton hit all five of his shots and the Pistons connected on 14 of 18 from the field in turning a one-point halftime lead into a 14-point margin entering the final quarter.

Celtics 89, Kings 69

In Sacramento, California, Paul Pierce scored 14 of his 16 points during a dominating second-quarter run that carried Boston to its first win in Sacramento in more than 11 years.

The Celtics played just their 11th road game of the season on Wednesday and first against a team in the Western Conference.

The Celtics had previously lost 11 straight at Arco Arena dating back to 1996.

Hawks 107, Pacers 95

In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored the first two baskets in a 12-0 run and Atlanta beat Indiana for its first five-game winning streak in eight years.

The Hawks are three games over .500 this late in the season for the first time since the 1998-1999 season, the last time they made the playoffs.

Nuggets 125, Bucks 105

In Denver, Marcus Camby had a triple-double as Denver defeated Milwaukee. Carmelo Anthony posted his fourth straight double-double.

Anthony finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds in three quarters of work. He was 11-for-16 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

Jazz 99, Mavericks 90

In Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 21 points, including six of Utah's last seven, and the Jazz held off Dallas.

The Mavericks had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Magic 110, Knicks 96

In Orlando, Florida, Hedo Turkoglu scored 26 points and Orlando broke a four-game home losing streak by beating New York.

Orlando outscored the Knicks 60-45 in the second half to win at home for the first time in more than a month.

Rashard Lewis scored 25 points as the Magic shot 53 percent from the field.

The Knicks lost their third straight.

Wizards 108, Bobcats 104

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Caron Butler returned from two sore ankles to score 25 points, and Washington beat Charlotte to snap a three-game losing streak.

Butler, who had injured both ankles in a week, had a three-point play late in the third quarter to put Washington ahead to stay.

76ers 96, Heat 85

In Philadelphia, Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 28 points and Philadelphia held off Miami.

Miami dropped games on back-to-back nights. The Heat fell to 4-12 on the road and remain mired in last place in the Southeast Division.

Warriors 105, Timberwolves 101

In Oakland, California, Monta Ellis scored a career-high 35 points to go with six rebounds and four assists, and Golden State held on to beat Minnesota for its fifth straight home victory.

The Warriors led by as many as 22 before Minnesota nearly rallied from a 12-point deficit heading into the final period.
This story has been viewed 884 times.