Spurs’ Tony Parker says rest helped him be ready to play in NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO--The San Antonio Spurs prevailed in the second half of their biggest game without Tony Parker.

They hope it’s not something they’ll have to do again after the veteran point guard confirmed Wednesday that he would play against the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday at the AT&T Center.

Parker called the days off between the Spurs’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday in the Western Conference finals and the opener of the Finals “huge” for his recovery from the sprained left ankle that sidelined him for the final half against the Thunder.

“I was proud of my teammates to get it done for OKC,” Parker said, “because those five days made the difference for me to be ready for Game 1.”

Nevertheless, Parker acknowledged some trepidation about how his 32-year-old body would hold up during the duration of the series.

“A little bit, a little bit because you never know how it’s going to feel,” Parker said. “But I’m trying to be very positive, trying to do everything I can, eat healthy, get my rest, do all the treatment. I just trust my body, I’ve been playing for four years nonstop, since 2010, no vacation, made three conference finals, made two finals with the [French] national team so we always go all the way.

“But I’m very proud, my body, and yes, I had little stuff, wear and tear, but I’m still here and I trust my body to hold up for the whole series.”

The Spurs held a light workout Wednesday with some shooting and running.