Tony Parker scored a season-high 32 points to lead the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in a 116-105 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
Parker's performance was a welcome sign that the French point guard, who inked a three-year, $US43 million ($A55.31 million) contract extension in August, is returning to his best after a string of injuries led to a mid-season dip in form.
The Spurs, who endured a tough four-game skid with losses to the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State, Utah and Portland, notched their fifth straight win and improved to 39-23, tying Dallas for sixth place in the Western Conference.
Kawhi Leonard posted 20 points with eight rebounds, Manu Ginobili chipped in with 16 points and Australian Patty Mills bagged 15 for the Spurs.
Veteran Spurs star Tim Duncan scored only three points and missed all eight of his shots from the floor.
But overall, Parker said he believed San Antonio were rounding into form as the post-season approaches.
"I feel like we're playing better and better," he said. "We had a rough stretch on the road, it happens. We've got to stay positive and keep playing well."
The Spurs had a season-high 35 fastbreak points, to Chicago's nine. The Spurs scored 32 points on 22 Bulls turnovers.
Chicago's Spanish big man Pau Gasol totalled 23 points and 15 rebounds for his 42nd double-double of the season while Aaron Brooks scored 22.
Joakim Noah pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out nine assists for Chicago, who despite the absence of injured Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, remain in second place in the Eastern Conference.
