San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9), of France, is defended by Dallas Mavericks’ Samuel Dalembert (1) as he drives to score during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 2, 2014, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 112-106. AP
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio point guard Tony Parker made a seamless return from a six-game injury absence on Sunday, scoring 22 points to lead the Spurs to a 112-106 NBA win over Dallas.
Parker had been sidelined since just before the All Star break two weeks ago with what Spurs coach Gregg Popovich called a “variety of maladies.”
That included different leg injuries as well as hand soreness, but he showed no sign of trouble on Sunday as he connected on 10 of 15 shots from the floor and handed out seven assists in just under 32 minutes on the floor.
Tim Duncan scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and Manu Ginobili had 15 points and seven assists for the Spurs, who have won six of their last seven to keep Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City in their sights.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points, Vince Carter chipped in 21 and Monta Ellis added 17 points and eight assists for the Mavericks, who have now lost two straight.