NBA – Parker hits career-high 55 as Spurs beat Wolves for first win
NEW YORK (NBA) – France’s Tony Parker averaged 26.8 points to lead EuroBasket Division A in scoring this summer but on Wednesday he more than doubled that output with a career-high 55 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 129-125 double-overtime triumph at Minnesota. Parker, 26, hit a 20-foot jump shot at the buzzer to force the second overtime and then poured in six of his team’s first eight points in the second OT as they won for the first time in four games this season.
NEW YORK (NBA) – France’s Tony Parker averaged 26.8 points to lead EuroBasket Division A in scoring this summer but on Wednesday he more than doubled that output with a career-high 55 to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 129-125 double-overtime triumph at Minnesota.
Parker, 26, hit a 20-foot jump shot at the buzzer to force the second overtime and then poured in six of his team’s first eight points in the second OT as they won for the first time in four games this season.
“I just wanted to win,” Parker said.
“I couldn't believe we were 0-3. Dallas came in (Tuesday) and just kicked our butts.
“They were hitting every shot, and they had played so bad against Cleveland, but they came to San Antonio and shot the ball very well, so I said we have to do the same thing and come into Minnesota and play well and be aggressive.
“I just wanted to win so bad that I was going to do everything I can.”
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saluted his star point guard.
“He was magnificent,” Popovich said. “He pulled us through, that's for sure.”
The Spurs are playing without Manu Ginobili while he recovers from his ankle operation so Parker is helping to pick up the slack.
He played 50 minutes and 32 seconds and did more than score. Parker had 10 assists and seven rebounds, too.
Only LeBron James, Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan had had games with at least 50 points and at least 10 assists before Parker pulled off the feat against the Timberwolves.
Team USA’s Olympic gold medal winner James, meanwhile, had another big game. In Cleveland’s 107-93 home win over Chicago, he poured in 41.
Amare Stoudemire erupted for 49 points to lead Phoenix past the Indiana Pacers, 113-103.
Team USA’s Chris Bosh had 26 points and 13 boards and Spain’s Jose Calderon scored 24 with eight assists but Toronto lost 100-93 to Detroit (4-0).
Zach Randolph ravaged the Charlotte Bobcats with 25 points and 13 rebounds as the New York Knicks won 101-98.
Team USA’s Dwyane Wade torched the Philadelphia 76ers with 29 points as the Miami Heat prevailed 106-83.
Richard Jefferson finished with 32 points and Australia center Andrew Bogut had 13 rebounds to go with his 10 points as Milwaukee won 112-104 over Washington.
Joe Johnson, one of Team USA’s stars at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, had 24 points in Atlanta’s 87-79 upset of New Orleans.
Paul Pierce scored 20 as defending NBA champions Boston beat Oklahoma City 96-83.
Turkey international Mehmet Okur’s 22 points and nine rebounds fired Utah to a 103-96 win over Portland.
Sacramento won for the first time in five games, beating Memphis 100-95.
Golden State beat Denver 111-101 and the Los Angeles Lakers, getting 27 points from Team USA’s Kobe Bryant, beat the winless Los Angeles Clippers (0-5) 106-88.
FIBA