Spurs set sail early; Hornets just set sale

What the NBA's best record doesn't say about the San Antonio Spurs are the four times they've fallen behind by 15 points or more before scrambling back to win.

"We've got to stop that," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said.

There was nothing to worry about in this game.

Tony Parker scored 19 points and the Spurs beat the sliding New Orleans Hornets for the second time in a week, 109-84 on Sunday night, never trailing and leading by 38 in the most lopsided game for the Hornets this season.

The Hornets also have other matters: George Shinn has agreed to sell the club to the NBA, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press before the game. Hornets forward David West called the ownership issue a mess after the game.

"During the summer, we felt it was going one way, and I guess things started changing," said West, who scored 13 points. "Who knows? It'll be an experience I would imagine for us, coaching staff and all parties involved."
Blazers 100, Clippers 91:

Wesley Matthews scored 26 points to lead five Trail Blazers in double figures as host Portland snapped a six-game losing streak despite almost blowing a 22-point lead. Blake Griffin had 21 points and 15 rebounds for Los Angeles.
Suns 125, Wizards 108:

Steve Nash was 8-for-8 from the field, made all four of his foul shots, scored 20 points and had a season-high 17 assists to help Phoenix keep Washington winless on the road. Hakim Warrick had a season-high 26 points to help the Suns win for the fourth time this season after trailing by 10 or more points.
Nuggets 108, Grizzlies 107:

George Karl earned his 999th NBA win the hard way as host Denver overcame a third-quarter meltdown that included a technical on Carmelo Anthony for arguing a call and held off Memphis for its seventh straight win. ... Anthony was 4-for-20 from the floor and finished with 13 points.
Celtics 100, Nets 75:

Nate Robinson scored 21 points starting in place of Rajon Rondo and led visiting Boston to its seventh straight win. ... Robinson scored eight points in the first four minutes in place of Rondo, who was a scratch with hamstring and foot injuries. ... New Jersey got 16 points from Jordan Farmar in its fourth straight loss.
Pistons 102, Cavaliers 92:

Richard Hamilton scored 27 points and Rodney Stuckey added 24 points and 11 assists to help host Detroit in a game between teams coming off embarrassing performances. Cleveland lost its last two games by a combined 62 points, including the highly anticipated return of LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Pistons were beaten at home by an Orlando team missing Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson and two other key players because of the flu.
Knicks 116, Raptors 99:

Amar'e Stoudemire had 31 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, Wilson Chandler scored 21 and New York extended its road winning streak to seven games.

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle