If Tony Parker doesn’t got the nod at an All-Star appearance later this month, then the NBA should start changing the way they select players that should participate during the league’s annual weekend celebration held every February.
Tony Parker has been superb lately, helping the Spurs to improve their road record to 5-8.
Three nights after scoring 42 points in a victory over league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, Parker turned out another superb performance, this time against one of the top teams in the East — the Philadelphia 76ers (18-8) .
The San Antonio Spurs (18-9) All-Star guard scored 37 points, dished out eight assists and went 13-of-13 from the foul line in 38 minutes of action without committing a single foul, leading the Spurs to a 100-90 win against the Sixers.
Not to be outdone, Tim Duncan also had another solid game scoring 16 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and adding two block shots in 30 minutes of play without a turnover.
Meanwhile, the Spurs’ reserves continues to give San Antonio the added punch they needed.
Gary Neal added 18 points, Tiago Splitter chipped in 15 points, while Matt Bonner had five points and nine boards all from the Spurs’ bench.
Neal, who is averaging 8.5 points per game, had 12 points in the first quarter on three 3-pointers and 4-for-4 shooting.
“He hurt us early and we can’t let that happen,” Andre Iguodala said. “We have to be more alert. We have to keep aware of guys who can hurt us and try and not let them get good looks.”
“This is a team that when you make a mistake, they will make you pay dearly for it,” Doug Collins said. “I have great admiration for them. Gregg Popovich is one of the best coaches in all of sports. They’ve done a great job without Ginobili.”
Down 83-71 near the midpoint of the fourth quarter, the Sixers scored seven straight points and had the crowd rocking after Jrue Holiday’s 3-pointer.
However, Neal answered with his fourth 3-pointer of the night and his free throw a minute later after Lou Williams got a technical foul gave the Spurs an 89-80 lead.
Williams hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 95-90 with 1:46 left, but Parker nailed a jumper to give the Spurs a 97-90 lead and Philadelphia couldn’t get any closer.
Williams led Philadelphia with 22 points, Iguodala had 17 points and Thaddeus Young scored 16.
Elton Brand returned to the Sixer’s lineup after sitting out two games with a sprained thumb, and had 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Spurs who hold the league’s home record (13-1), improved their road record to 5-8. They are expecting Manu Ginobili to be back in the lineup when they face the New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.
Six wins in a row baby! Go Spurs Go!
I agree TP should be named to the All Star team he is playing out of his mind lately! Go Parker! Go Spurs!
What can I say? My man TP does it again! I hope to see Manu play against the Nets on Saturday and hopefully the Spurs keeps this winning streak going.
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