NEW ORLEANS, January 18, 2010 (AFP) - Tony Parker scored 25 points as San Antonio defeated New Orleans 97-90 Monday, handing the Hornets a rare loss at home.

Tim Duncan finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, while George Hill scored 16 points and Manu Ginobili added 11 as San Antonio halted a two-game losing streak.

David West scored 18 points for New Orleans, which lost for only the second time in its last 15 games at home. Chris Paul had 18 points and nine assists while Marcus Thornton scored 16 points for the Hornets.

Hill started because Richard Jefferson had to skip the National Basketball League game with a back injury.

San Antonio led by double digits for most of the game and at one point led by a whopping 21 points in the third when Duncan hit one of two free throws to make it 76-55.

New Orleans battled back in the fourth but eventually fell short. They trailed by eight when Parker's driving scoop made it 84-74 with just under five minutes to go. France's Parker turned up the heat in the final minutes by scoring seven more points.

San Antonio outrebounded New Orleans 50-38.