Parker, Duncan pace Spurs past Hornets

Manu Ginobili had 18 points and Michael Finley added 14 for the Spurs, who topped the Hornets for a sixth straight time and for the 10th time in the last 11 meetings.

David West had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who had a three-game winning streak broken, but lost for the 13th time in 18 contests. Bobby Jackson had 14 points in a losing effort. West returned to the court for the first time since November 12. He missed the previous 30 games due to an elbow injury.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was ejected in the first quarter after receiving a pair of technical fouls. However, San Antonio then used a 17-4 spurt to end the quarter. The Spurs trailed 9-8 after Popovich’s first technical, but then went on a monster run after their coach was thrown out. Two free throws by Ginobili ended the period with the Spurs up 26-12.

"I think sometimes the coach has to do it, but we sometimes lose our focus for doing that," Ginobili said of the technical fouls. "Coach can do whatever he wants. We just need to focus on playing good and playing good defense."

San Antonio led by as many as 22 in the second before settling for a 53-36 advantage at the half. The Hornets could never get within double digits in the third and trailed 76-60 going into the fourth.

Jannero Pargo’s jumper cut the Hornets’ deficit to 81-73 with 7:08 remaining, but the visitors could get no closer.

Devin Brown had 12 points, while Desmond Mason and Pargo each scored 11 for the Hornets. Mason and Chris Paul, who was on the bench in street clothes, were both ejected.

"You can’t let a team like the Spurs get one up on you and expect to battle back." West said. "You have to bring your best game when you play one of the best teams in the league."

Game Notes

The Hornets have lost six of their last seven at San Antonio...The Spurs held a 47-39 advantage on the boards.