(AP) — No Tony Parker, no sweat, Tim Duncan said with a straight face.
Parker missed his first game of the season with a right hip strain, but Manu Ginobili scored a season-high 34 points, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 110-96 Sunday.
The Spurs snapped their first three-game losing streak of the season.
“It had a big difference. We won the game,” Duncan said in a deadpan tone about Parker’s absence. “I think that says something. We need to trade (Parker) or get rid of him or something.”
Ginobili, who averaged 25.5 points in the previous two games, was 10-of-15 from the field, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. His career-best six 3-pointers were among San Antonio’s season-high 14 baskets from behind the arc.
“I only knew about Tony just before the game,” Ginobili said. “I don’t think I had so many more touches (with Parker out), I just happened to make every shot.”
Robert Horry had 18 points, also a season high, Michael Finley added 12, and Duncan and Bruce Bowen had 10 apiece.
Pau Gasol led Memphis with 24 points, and Mike Miller, who left the game briefly in the third quarter because of a jammed right thumb, finished with 14. Damon Stoudamire added 13 points, and Alexander Johnson had 10.
For more on the Griz, check out Chris Herrington’s Grizzlies Blog, Beyond the Arc.
