NBA Game Summary - San Antonio at Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ (Basketball News) - Tim Duncan scored 31 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, as the San Antonio Spurs advanced to the NBA Finals by posting a 101-95 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series at America West Arena.

Manu Ginobili contributed 19 points, eight boards and six assists while Tony Parker ended with 18 points for the Spurs, who captured the Western Conference finals by a 4-1 margin to reach the championship round for the second time in the last three years.

San Antonio will be looking to claim its third NBA title as the team also lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy following the 1998-99 and 2002-03 seasons.

The Spurs will take on either Miami or Detroit in the finals, which begin on June 9.

Amare Stoudemire poured in a playoff career-high 42 points and hauled in 16 rebounds for the Suns, who were appearing in the conference finals for the first time since 1992-93 when the team eventually lost to Chicago in the NBA Finals.

Phoenix, which won Game 4 on Monday night to avoid being swept, held the league’s best record and went 31-10 at home during the regular season. However, the Suns could not take advantage of the homecourt as they lost all three games in their building in this series.

League MVP Steve Nash ended with 21 points and 10 assists while Joe Johnson added 14 points in the setback.