Tony Parker scored 27 points to help the San Antonio
Spurs beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 97-84 Sunday in an exhibition game.
Tim Duncan added 15 points, while Manu Ginobili scored 10 to give
the Spurs their second straight win in France, Parker's home
country.
``It's been a long week,'' said Parker, who scored 26 points
against Asvel Villeurbane on Thursday. ``It's been a pleasure to
come back here and see family and friends, and we had two good games
and two wins.''
Parker, who missed playing for France at the world championships
because of a broken finger, has fully recovered, Spurs coach Gregg
Popovich said.
Parker received a standing ovation when he left the court, a
minute from the end, to shouts of ``Tony! Tony!''
``Some day it would be great to play in a world championship,''
Parker said. ``But now I will just focus on the Spurs and hope we
have a great season.''
France striker Thierry Henry attended the game and sat next to
Parker's girlfriend Eva Longoria.
The Spurs are one of four teams playing on the NBA Europe Live
tour. The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns
also are taking part.
Last year, Maccabi beat the Toronto Raptors in an exhibition
game.
© The Canadian Press, 2007