Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — There was no third-quarter breakdown for the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, just the desperate play of a team whose quest for a second straight NBA title was on the line.
Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both scored 31 points to lead the Spurs to a 110-99 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
With the win, the Spurs avoided falling into an ominous 0-3 hole from which no NBA team has never returned.
Chris Paul led the Hornets, who still hold a 2-1 series lead, with 35 points and nine assists. David West had 23 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans.
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Game 4 is Sunday night in San Antonio.
Celtics 89, Cavaliers 73
Paul Pierce scored 19 points, Kevin Garnett added 13 with 12 rebounds, and Ray Allen broke out of a seven-quarter scoring drought with 16 points to help Boston beat Cleveland 89-73 on Thursday night.
The Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game 3 is Saturday night in Cleveland.
