Duncan Carries Spurs to Game 1 Win Over Suns

Tim Duncan saved the San Antonio Spurs with a rare 3-pointer at the end of overtime, and Manu Ginobili hit a layup at the end of the second extra period to send the defending champions past the Phoenix Suns, 117-115 today in Game 1 of their first-round series. The third-seeded Spurs celebrated almost as jubilantly as if they'd won the finals after beating the Suns, their postseason nemesis.

Duncan finished with 40 points and 15 rebounds. Michael Finley sent the Spurs to overtime with a last-second 3 from the wing, tying the game at 93. The Suns had controlled play for the first three quarters, leading by as many as 16 points despite early foul trouble for Shaquille O'Neal. The Suns had a six-point lead with a quarter left in regulation. (More NBA stories.)