SAN ANTONIO – Tony Parker has long been Nicolas Batum's friend and mentor, both on the French national team and in their NBA careers.
So it was understandable after Batum's dominance in Game 4 of the playoff series between the Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers that San Antonio's veteran point guard cracked a smile when asked if he had a part in his pal's success.
Batum had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in the Trail Blazers' 103-92 victory Monday night. Portland avoided elimination and narrowed the series to 3-1, sending it back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Wednesday.
No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.
