Spurs hold off Hornets 91-82, advance to West finals to face Lakers
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tony Parker swished a crucial jumper with 50 seconds on the clock. Manu Ginobili followed with four key free throws, essentially booking the San Antonio Spurs a date in the Western Conference finals.
This wasn’t the ending Hornets coach Byron Scott envisioned, but he admired the poise of the defending champion Spurs as they pulled out a grueling, seven-game series with a 91-82 triumph in front of a hostile crowd on Monday night.
‘‘If you have to lose to anybody, San Antonio is a class act,’’ Scott said. ‘‘We aspire to be like they are in every facet. They are one of the best organizations in all of sports.’’
With a young nucleus of Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler, the Hornets appear destined for greater things, but now is not their time.
It’s the Spurs and their championship ring-laden trio of Tim Duncan, Ginobili and Parker who’ll be traveling to Los Angeles to face the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night.
Ginobili scored 26 points and Parker added 17 to help the Spurs hold off the Hornets’ late rally and become the first team in the series to win away from home.
‘‘We really believed we had a chance to win on the road here,’’ said Duncan, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. ‘‘It’s just a lot of confidence, a lot of games under our belt.’’
