Spurs edge Cavs, on brink of sweep

Tony Parker had 17 points to lead the Spurs. Tim Duncan, who was held scoreless in the middle two quarters, had 14 points and nine boards for San Antonio, which is ahead 3-0 in the series, and a victory away from winning the title for a fourth time in nine years. The Spurs can complete the sweep Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

No team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.

James hit a layup with 6.3 seconds left to get the Cavaliers within 73-72, but Manu Ginobili drained two free throws with 5.5 seconds left.

Bowen, San Antonio’s defensive stopper who had 13 points, got his hands on James, trying for the foul before a three-point try in the closing seconds. No foul was called and James’ shot caromed off the rim. Zydrunas Ilgauskas tried to keep the ball alive for the Cavs, but time ran out, and Cleveland, in its maiden voyage to the Finals, is in danger of going down in four straight.

James then complained to the officials that a foul should have been called while he was in the act of shooting, but the Spurs walked off the court a win shy of another championship.

James had 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Drew Gooden contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out, and Sasha Pavlovic also had 13 points. Ilgauskas ended with 12 points and 18 boards.

The 147 points nearly set a record for the lowest combined score in a Finals game in NBA history. That mark is held in a 74-71 final with the Fort Wayne Pistons beating the Syracuse Nationals in 1955.