SAN ANTONIO(AP)
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio
Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-80 on Sunday night in Game 4
to even the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.
Tony Parker added 21 points for the Spurs, who led nearly the
entire game and are assured of a Game 6 back in San Antonio. Chris
Paul scored 23 for the Hornets.
Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans.
The Spurs led by as many as 27 and were ahead nearly the entire
game. They shot 51 percent (39-of-76), while the Hornets were cold
when it counted. They shot 37 percent through three quarters and
finished 24-of-65 (40 percent) from the field.
The Spurs scored 40 points in the paint. New Orleans' plan
to keep Parker out of the lane didn't work, as he knifed his
way through heavy traffic or found openings to get to the rim, and
also hit jumpers.
Manu Ginobili, who also got to the rim at will in Game 3,
wasn't as successful in Game 4. But he hit jumpers and
3-pointers, finishing with 15 points. Duncan also had four
blocks.
The Spurs outrebounded the Hornets 45-36 and outscored them
30-19 in the decisive third quarter.
The Hornets' David West had three blocks but was held to 10
points on 4-of-15 shooting and was visibly frustrated. Reserve
Jannero Pargo scored 11 for the Hornets.
The Hornets were hoping to return to New Orleans with a
commanding 3-1 series lead, but allowed Duncan and Parker to shoot
a combined 18-of-25 from the field. The only area where the duo
struggled was its free-throw shooting. Duncan was 2-of-5 and Parker
5-of-8.
The Spurs were ahead for all but 3:24 in the first half, taking
the lead for good after Parker's layup with 8:36 to play in the
first quarter broke a 4-all tie.
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