Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — Speedy Tony Parker rushed toward the basket on the fast break, then slammed into the 320-pound wall known as Shaquille O’Neal and fell to the floor.
"He was trying to play physical," the Spurs point guard said. "But that’s not going to stop me."
Parker and Manu Ginobili got to the rim time and again on Tuesday and San Antonio beat the Phoenix Suns 102-96 — this time without double overtime or a game-saving 3-pointer from Tim Duncan — to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of seven series.
Parker scored 32 points and Ginobili added 29 for the Spurs, who kept their home-court advantage in tact and play Game 3 in Arizona on Friday.
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"Between him (Parker) and Manu those guys were at the rim all night and making some shots over their bigs," said Tim Duncan, who had 18 points and 17 rebounds. "Just a great game for both of them."
For the second straight game, the Suns lost a double-digit, first-half lead. The Spurs were down by as many as 14 early before outscoring the Suns 27-11 in a breakout third quarter to take control.
"I guess we had an offensive meltdown in the third quarter," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "It just wasn’t a productive quarter. Offensively we lost our rhythm and that was pivotal."
The defending champions racked up a 56-42 advantage in the paint and they beat Phoenix at what’s traditionally been the Suns’ game, outscoring them 23-4 on the break.
Of taking on O’Neal in the paint, Parker joked that "on a good day, I’m like 160 (pounds)."
"If he wants to go in and play amongst those big dudes, they’re going to put him on the ground," said Suns guard Raja Bell. "And if he can keep getting up and doing it, God bless him."
The Spurs still had to withstand a fourth-quarter surge that got the Suns within five points with 14 seconds to play.
