Parker Plans On Playing Game 1 – NBA Roundup

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tony Parker says he plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle that he aggravated in Saturday night's Western Conference final.

Parker didn't practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday.

Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this postseason but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds.

Coach Gregg Popovich says his point guard is "getting better every day," and he expects Parker to be ready for the series opener.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards coach Randy Wittman has received a contract extension after leading the team this season to its first playoff berth since 2008. The Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round before losing to Indiana in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have hired Jeff Bower to be their general manager. He had been the New Orleans Hornets GM in 2009-10. Bower was the coach at Marist (MAR'-ihst) College last season, but he resigned Monday.

The Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as their coach and team president last month.