Ginobli, Parker Combine For 62 Points For 110-99 Win Over New Orleans

San Antonio, TX (AHN) - San Antonio Spurs guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili took charge in Game 3 by scoring 31 points each as the Spurs defeated the New Orleans Hornets 110-99 Thursday night at the Western Conference semifinals.

The NBA's top sixth man, Ginobili, who started for the Spurs for the first time in the postseason, shot 50 percent from the field and went 3-of-9 from beyond the arc to score 31 points while adding six assists for the San Antonio Spurs which escaped a 3-0 shutout where no NBA team has ever bounced back to win the playoffs. Parker, who saw 41 minutes of action, also had 31 points and added 11 assists and four rebounds

The Hornets had a 56-49 lead with 23 seconds left in the second after Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson each hit three-pointers. But the Spurs came within two points after Bruce Bowen sank one from the three-point area and a jumper by Ginobili at the buzzer.

Unlike in Games 1 and 2, San Antonio managed to hold on in the third with Duncan, Parker and Ginobli combining for 26 of the 29 points of San Antonio.

San Antonio bolted in the fourth with an 11-0 surge with 5:57 remaining in the final period to take a 101-88 lead. Ginobili and Parker combined for 17 points as the Spurs outscored the Hornets 27-21 in the fourth quarter.

Tim Duncan, who had a quiet first half scoring just five points after being shackled by the Hornets double teams, added 16 points and 13 boards and blocked four shots. Bruce Bowen had 12 points and went 4-of-9 from the three-point area, while Michael Finley chipped in 11 points.

Chris Paul had another spectacular night with 35 points and nine assists but was not enough to help the Hornets. David West had 23 points and 12 boards and dished out two assists, while Tyson Chandler contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. New Orleans three-point specialist, Peja Stojakovic, who was shadowed all night by Bowen had only eight points on 2-of-17 shooting.

Game 4 will be played at San Antonio on Sunday night.