Mavericks at Spurs
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs have won four straight games but could be without All-Star point guard Tony Parker when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Parker left Wednesday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a hamstring injury. The Mavericks are five games behind the Spurs in the Southwest Division race after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The Mavericks are 2-1 against San Antonio after beating the Spurs on March 17.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Southwest
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (27-21): Dallas hopes to have forward Shawn Marion back from a knee injury. Marion has sat out the last three games and was badly missed in the 16-point loss to the Lakers. His absence affected the defensive tactics the Mavericks could use to defend Kobe Bryant. The Dallas offense had only two players perform well – forward Dirk Nowitzki with 26 points and guard Jason Terry with 23 points. Point guard Jason Kidd celebrates his 39th birthday Friday and had a double-double (14 points, 10 assists) against San Antonio last week.
ABOUT THE SPURS (30-14): Parker’s availability might not be known until close to game time. Parker is averaging 19.6 points and 8.0 assists and has been San Antonio’s top player all season. Gary Neal will start if Parker can’t play. “It is very bad,” longtime backcourt mate Manu Ginobili said. “Everybody knows how important Tony Parker has been for us right now. It is going to be difficult. We need to figure out. Great teams figure it out. Whether you are missing a player or not, you have to find a way.” Neal is averaging 13.3 points in three games against Dallas this season. San Antonio is expected to sign Patty Mills for backup point guard help.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio notched a 93-71 home victory over Dallas on Jan. 5 and the Mavericks won both meetings in Dallas.
2. Jason Terry is averaging 21.0 points against San Antonio this season.
3. Spurs forward Matt Bonner missed the Minnesota game with back spasms.