SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker 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. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring. But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game 7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill never do it again, I promise. Were done with that joke." Lakers Jerseys 2019 . Jets head coach Paul Maurice made the announcement Saturday following the morning skate and confirmed Al Montoya will start in goal against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Wholesale Lakers Jerseys . - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/. Strasburg (1-1) got 14 consecutive outs in one stretch and allowed only three hits, including Marcell Ozunas homer in the seventh. The right-handers lone walk was to the last batter he faced. Washingtons starter Wednesday, Jordan Zimmermann, left after a career-low 1 2-3 innings, leaving the bullpen "taxed," as manager Matt Williams put it. Fake Lakers Jerseys . -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced in a limited capacity Friday, a positive sign he might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans. Los Angeles Lakers Gear . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Luke Kuechly knows Carolinas defence didnt have much bite earlier in the season.He said that made Saturday all the more special.The Panthers held Arizona to 78 yards and forced three turnovers in a 27-16 win, the franchises first post-season victory in nine years. Its the fewest yards ever allowed in an NFL post-season game.We know who we are — menacing, stifling and we are going to get after you, cornerback Josh Norman said. We know when there is blood in the water and when there is, our sharks are going to eat.The Panthers (8-8-1) held Arizona to 12 yards in the second half, intercepted Ryan Lindley twice and sacked him four times in a dominating performance.Carolinas defence has undergone a remarkable turnaround this season, going from 27th in the league in Week 7 to 10th entering the playoffs.And the Panthers only seem to be getting better by the week.We had a lot of new guys early on who had to get accustomed to each other, said Kuechly, the All-Pro middle linebacker who had a game-high 10 tackles and a key interception. Now were all together and communicating — and thats huge.The New York Giants held the previous NFL record for fewest yards in a post-season game, limiting Cleveland to 86 yards on Dec. 21, 1958.Cam Newton overcame two turnovers and threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathan Stewart ran for 123 yards and a score on a rain-soaked afternoon.The Panthers had 386 yards.Newton was quick to deflect attention to his defensive teammates after his first career playoff win, calling their performance lights out.When those guys play like that, it makes it easier on us on our part, Newton said. Those guys did everything, turnovers, they stopped them. That is championship football right there and weve got to do our part offensively to put points up on the board.The Panthers will play at top-seeded Seattle next weekend if Dallas beats Detroit on Sunday. If the Lions win, the Panthers play at Green Bay.It appeared the Panthers wouldnt get the yardage record, but Arizona began lateraling the ball around the field on the final play and lost 19 yards.It was a fitting end to the Cardinals offensive ineptitude.Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, the only player remaining from the last Carolina team that won a playoff game, called it the most dominating defensive performance hes ever been around.Our coaches did a great joob and when they lined up in their formations we knew exactly what to expect, Davis said.dddddddddddd We just ran to the ball and made plays.After a 9-1 start, Arizonas once promising season was undone by a rash of injuries, including to quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton.Lindley simply wasnt up to the task of leading a playoff team.Trailing 27-14, Arizona recovered a Newton fumble and returned to the Carolina 8. But with a chance to get his team back on the game, Lindley fired over the middle but was intercepted by Kuechly, essentially sealing the Carolina win with 11:48 left in the game.Arizona coach Bruce Arians refused to pin the blame on his young quarterback.I thought he did great up until the first interception, Arians said. He managed the game as well as he could. We didnt do a good job of putting ourselves in manageable third downs. But we got the big break and he tried to force one in that should have never been thrown.The Cardinals finished the season 11-6, but lost five of their final seven games.As a team, we always fought, defensive tackle Frostee Rucker said. It was always the next man up. At some point, we just didnt have anything left. Everyone should hold their heads high. Every person gave it their all, this whole season, win or loss.Trailing by one at halftime the Panthers scored two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute, 32 seconds late in the third quarter to take control.Rookie running back Fozzy Whittaker caught a pass in the flat from Newton, reversed fields and got a key block from Kelvin Benjamin to spring him for a 39-yard touchdown.On the ensuing kickoff, Melvin White stripped returner Ted Ginn Jr., a former Panther, at the Arizona 3 and Kevin Reddick recovered for Carolina. A pass interference penalty on Tony Jefferson on third down gave Carolina a new set of downs, and Newton took advantage. He found wide-open fullback Mike Tolbert in the left flat for a 1-yard touchdown and a 27-14 lead.Carolina outgained Arizona 208-65 in the first half, but entered the locker room trailing 14-13 after two costly turnovers led to two Cardinals touchdowns.NOTES: Panthers rookie wide receiver Philly Brown left with a shoulder injury and did not return. ... Charles Johnson had two sacks for the Panthers. ... Arizona had 27 yards rushing on 15 carries.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '