KEY POINTS:
Tim Duncan powered the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-106 road win over the Phoenix Suns in a rough opener to their Western Conference semi-final series today.
Duncan scored 33 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked three shots as the Spurs pulled away in the closing two minutes.
Tony Parker added 32 points and eight assists for the Spurs.
Phoenix's Steve Nash, who scored 31 points, missed much of the final minute after suffering a bloody cut on the bridge of his nose in a collision with Parker.
Duncan had the Spurs' go-ahead points, breaking a 102-102 tie with a field goal 1:58 from time.
Parker followed with a jumper 35 seconds later and San Antonio never trailed again.
After Parker's final field goal put San Antonio 106-102 ahead, the Spurs scored their final five points at the line.
Amare Stoudemire added 20 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Suns.
Game Two is in Phoenix on Wednesday (NZ time).
LeBron James and a strong Cleveland defence led the Cavaliers to an 81-77 home win over the New Jersey Nets in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semi-final series at Cleveland.
James blocked a shot by the Nets' Bostjan Nachbar with seven seconds to go to seal victory.
New Jersey had trailed by two after Vince Carter's pair of free throws with 32 seconds remaining.
But James scored on a layup to put the Cavaliers up 81-77 with 19 seconds left before making the defensive stop on Nachbar.
James led Cleveland with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Drew Gooden added 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Carter had 21 points to top New Jersey
Game Two is in Cleveland on Wednesday (NZ time).
- REUTERS
