By Mike Piellucci
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
The Spurs' near-picture-perfect health has taken a big hit with news that point guard Tony Parker will miss anywhere from two to four weeks with a strained left calf muscle.
Parker was injured in Sunday's win over Memphis when he collided with the Grizzlies' Mike Conley in the second quarter. He did not return to the game. The Spurs announced on Monday that Parker will not accompany them on road games to Memphis and Cleveland this week.
Barring a miracle recovery, Parker will be out of Friday's home game vs. the Heat, and he may miss more important games. Assuming he's out the minimum two weeks, Parker also will miss Sunday's home game against the Lakers as well as the March 14 game at Miami.
If it is the maximum four weeks, Parker also would miss the March 18 game against the Mavericks, who are second to the Spurs in both the division and conference, as well as games at Denver and Portland, both of which are in line for a playoff berth in the West.
With Parker out, George Hill will slide into the starting lineup. The third-year pro offers a different dimension, more capable than Parker of shooting the three-pointer (career high 40.9 percent this season) but less of a playmaker, with a career assist average of just 2.3 per game, albeit in backup minutes.
Manu Ginobili also could get more action as the offense's primary ballhandler, a role he has filled in small doses this season. Should Gregg Popovich go that route, Gary Neal likely would be in line for more minutes in the backcourt.
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