Parker powers France over Argentina

Tony Parker shook off an eye injury that forces him to wear protective goggles and outplayed NBA teammate Manu Ginobili down the stretch Tuesday to give France a 71-64 Olympic victory over Argentina. Parker, who like Ginobili is a guard for the San Antonio Spurs, scored 17 points while Nicolas Batum added 14 and Mickael Gelabale had 13 for the French, who pulled even with Argentina, Nigeria and Lithuania at 1-1 in Group A. Ginobili scored 26 points and NBA big man Luis Scola added 16 for Argentina but Parker's play over the final minutes made the difference for the French, who opened with a 98-71 loss to the US team of NBA stars It was France's first victory over Argentina in five tries in Olympic and world championship competition. A basket by Ginobili pulled Argentina within 60-58 but Parker answered on a jump shot and with 4:19 remaining dribbled up the middle past a helpless Ginobili for a layup that gave France a 64-58 lead. Parker added two free throws and Nicolas Batum another but Ginobili responded with a 3-pointer, pulling Argentina within 67-61 with 2:26 to play. Ginobili tried to force an inside pass to Scola but the French defence denied him and Kevin Seraphin scored off the turnover for a 69-62 French edge that sealed the South Americans' fate. The Spurs teammates caught fire late in the third quarter, Ginobili with a court-length drive for a layup to spark a 3-point play, a turnaround jumper and two later free throws to tie the game. But Parker answered by sinking a layup to give France a 55-53 edge entering the fourth quarter. French NBA big men Ronny Turiaf and Boris Diaw were in foul trouble much of the second half but Gelabale and Nando de Colo helped make sure Argentina was unable to mount a charge.