Spurs’ Tony Parker says he will play tonight against Miami
SAN ANTONIO -- Point guard Tony Parker said he will play tonight, proclaiming three times that “I’ll be ready to go” for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Parker spoke briefly during San Antonio’s Thursday morning shoot-around. He sustained a strained right hamstring early in the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ 113-77 romp over Miami in Game 3 on Tuesday.
After an MRI exam Wednesday confirmed the injury, he seemed unsure at the time whether he would play in Game 4. The Spurs lead the series, 2-1, and the next two games are in San Antonio before the series shifts back to Miami, if necessary.
Parker was the main reason San Antonio won Game 1, banking in an off-balance leaner in the final seconds for a four-point cushion. He’s been a little off since then, averaging 9.5 points and shooting 36.8% (seven for 19) the last two games.
Reserve point guard Gary Neal had 24 points in Game 3, making six of 10 from three-point range, but plenty of Spurs would rather have Parker in the fold ... including Neal.
“He’s one of the best players in the NBA,” Neal said. “That’s a big brick off our shoulders” that Parker expects to play in Game 4.
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