Spurs pummel sliding Hornets to keep NBA-best mark

SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker scored 19 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the sliding New Orleans Hornets for the second time in a week, 109-84 on Sunday night.

Matt Bonner added 14 points, hitting four of five 3-point attempts, and the Spurs improved their NBA-best record to 17-3 and matched their best start through 20 games since the 2007-08 season.

Chris Paul had 16 points for the Hornets, who have lost four of five and were blown out from the start. They trailed by 38 and lately look nothing like the team that opened 8-0.

But this pummeling will likely be overshadowed by news Sunday that Hornets owner George Shinn has agreed to sell the club to the NBA. A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the deal could be completed within days.