by Sports Xchange

Entering Monday's game against Toronto, the Spurs sat 2-3 in the standings after three brutal losses on the road and found themselves squaring off against the Raptors with not only a sputtering offense, but also a lineup that would not include All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

Parker rolled his left ankle on a drive to the basket in the second quarter Friday night in Portland. He said he doesn't deem the injury to be serious and figures he could return in about a week.

Duncan, who hobbled through last season on bad knees, didn't play because of swelling in his left ankle. Although the Spurs are retooled this season with such additions as Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess, they know the key to success is staying healthy.

Health won't be on their side Wednesday when Southwest Division rival Dallas comes to town for the first of four meetings this season. The Spurs lost in five games to the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs last season without Manu Ginobili and with Duncan limping.

Duncan could return for Wednesday's game, but it will take a quick recovery for Parker, who was sensational in the playoff series, to get on the floor.

SPURS 131, RAPTORS 124: With Tim Duncan and Tony Parker out with ankle injuries, the remaining member of the Big Three came to life. Manu Ginobili scored 36 points and dished eight assists in 32 minutes. Ginobili drained 6 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc -- four in the fourth quarter -- and made 14 of 16 free throws, working his inside-outside game to perfection on a night the Spurs desperately needed it to avoid falling two games below .500.