By Jim Slater
Agence France-Presse
SAN ANTONIO, Texas–Tony Parker and Tim Duncan sparked the San Antonio Spurs past Cleveland 85-76 here Thursday in the opener of the National Basketball Association Finals, humbling LeBron James in the process.
Parker scored 27 points while Duncan, a three-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to give the Spurs the lead in the best-of-seven championship series that continues here Sunday.
James, the flamboyant 22-year-old playmaker who lifted the Cavaliers into their first NBA Finals, made only 4-of-16 shots for 14 points, giving away six turnovers as San Antonio’s defense frustrated and contained him all night.
French guard Parker produced the best NBA Finals game in his third trip to the series, adding seven assists for a Spurs team seeking its fourth title in nine years after crowns in 1999, 2003 and 2005.
James missed his first eight shots, finally connecting on a driving layup 4:45 into the third quarter. His only first-half points came on four free throws but the Spurs only managed to seize a 40-35 half-time lead.
San Antonio’s lead still was only 49-43 midway into the third quarter when the Spurs caught fire, going on an 18-6 run that ended with San Antonio ahead 67-49 on Robert Horry’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter.
Ginobili had six points and Duncan scored four in the critical stretch.
James sank a pair of 3-pointers to ignite a 13-4 Cleveland run, pulling the Cavaliers within 78-69 on Sasha Pavlovic’s reverse layup with 2:48 to play.
Ginobili sank two free throws and Daniel Gibson answered with a 3-pointer for Cleveland, but James missed a 3-pointer and Duncan added a slam dunk to give the Spurs an 82-72 edge with 54 seconds to play, sealing the triumph.
Ginobili added 16 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio. Daniel Gibson led Cleveland with 16 points while James and Drew Gooden had 14 points and Sasha Pavlovic added 13.
The Spurs outscored Cleveland 18-5 off turnovers.
Defense dominated the first half, which ended with a Ginobili 3-pointer giving the Spurs a five-point edge. Duncan scored 14 first-half points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked four shots. Parker had 12 points and five assists.
James scored his only first-half points on four free throws, gave the ball away twice and had a shot swatted aside by Duncan.
The Spurs, who led 20-15 after the first quarter, went 7:06 without a basket, going 0-for-6 as the Cavaliers went on a 10-2 run to open the second quarter, seizing their first lead on Pavlovic’s basket 5:00 into the period.
Parker ignited a rally with a baseline driving layup, a basket off his own missed free throw and a superb pass to Francisco Elson for a fast break layup.
June 11th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Am watching the 2nd game right now, spurs leading by 28 points, really a blow-out, they’re eating the cavs alive. The spurs are obviously the best team in the NBA right now. Honestly the game has become boring as LeBron and co. is utterly helpless against the Texan juggernaut. Let’s see what game 3 has in store for us since it will be at the cavs homecourt.
June 9th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Inspite of being underated in terms of appreciation and popularity unlike the Bulls of the 90’s and lakers of the 80’s and early 2000 The spurs are showing just how great they are and they rank right up there as one of the best and greatest teams. It starts with Duncan handdown the greatest power forward ever. What he has accomplished the past 10 years is incredible 9 straight all NBA 1st teams (a record ) 10 straight yrs all defensive 1st or 2nd team. 3 rings and counting ( could be 4 soon) , 3 finals MVP and 2 regular season MVP’s . If this was anyone else we would be comparing him with Jordan . Based on accomplishments he has surpassed Bird, Olojowan and Shaq ! . Then you have Manu Oympic champion and considered by D antionie to be one of the 10 best players in the game today. Add Parker top 5 point guard . then best perimeter defender Bowen. plus 2 time all star Finley and probably the best clutch player of all time Horry. You put them all together and they have great cohension with one of the best coaches ever. It makes you wonder why people would even doubt this team .n. What else can do you espect with that formula. When all is said and done the Spurs will go down as trully one of the greatest teams ever, not necessary the flashiest.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
The fight between the spurs and cavaliers has already started…but not ending on game 1…Expect cavs to rebound…expect Lebron to be more aggressive and confident on the remaining games. But i think Spurs will win the series in 6 games.
June 8th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
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