San Antonio Spurs Team Report - March 14

(Basketball News) - The San Antonio Spurs try to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak, as they welcome the New Orleans Hornets on Monday to the SBC Center.

It will be the fourth and final meeting of the season between the two clubs. The Spurs won the three previous contests, as they picked up a pair of wins at New Orleans Arena and defeated the Hornets, 93-83, in front of their home crowd on January 29th.

Overall, the Spurs have won six of seven and eight of the last 10 contests in this series. The Hornets have lost two of three and four of their last six at San Antonio.

The Spurs are expected to have All-Star Tim Duncan back in the lineup against New Orleans. Duncan has missed San Antonio’s last two games with a sprained right ankle.

San Antonio plays the second of a four-game homestand Monday. On Saturday, Kenyon Martin scored 23 points and Carmelo Anthony added 21 as the Denver Nuggets won their eighth straight, edging the Spurs, 90-87, at the SBC Center.

Tony Parker led the way for a depleted Spurs team with 25 points. All-Stars Manu Ginobili (groin) and Duncan both sat out for San Antonio, Tony Massenburg ended with 16 points, while Devin Brown added 15 off the bench in the losing effort.

Parker has a thigh injury that he suffered in the loss to Denver and is considered questionable for Monday’s contest, while Ginobili, who has missed San Antonio’s last two games, is doubtful.

The Spurs are an impressive 28-3 as the host this season.

Parker has scored in double-digits in 20 straight games. He is averaging 18.8 points and six assists in his last 10 contests.

San Antonio will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday and the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday in the finale of the stand. After Friday’s game, the Spurs will embark on a three-game road trip that will consist of stops in Detroit, New York and Indiana.