SAN ANTONIO — Manu Ginobili scored 20 points, Tony Parker made a surprise return to the starting lineup and the San Antonio Spurs handed the skidding Miami Heat their most lopsided loss of the season, 125-95 on Friday night.
In the first meeting between these NBA heavyweights, the Spurs (51-11) improved the league's best record and kept the Heat in a tailspin. A night after blowing a 24-point lead in a stunning loss to Orlando, Miami trailed by 24 after just one quarter and lost for the fourth time in five games.
Parker had 15 points and eight assists. He returned less than a week after the Spurs feared their point guard might miss up to a month with a strained calf.
LeBron James scored 26 points and Dwyane Wade had 19. It won't get much easier for the Heat, who return home to play Chicago on Sunday.