PHOENIX, June 1 (UPI) -- Tim Duncan carried San Antonio into the NBA Championship Series Wednesday night with a 31-point effort that helped eliminate Phoenix, 101-95.
Having disposed of the Western Conference's top seed in five games, the Spurs await the winner of the Detroit-Miami series - which resumes in Miami Thursday night deadlocked at 2-2.
Phoenix, trying to become the first team in NBA history to win a seven-game series after losing the first three, fell victim to San Antonio's depth as well as the relentless effort of Duncan. He made 14 of 24 shots from the field and was assisted by 19 points from Manu Ginobili and 18 from Tony Parker.
Amare Stoudemire scored 42 for the Suns and league MVP Steve Nash had 21, but they had little help while combining for almost two-thirds of their team's points. The Suns lost all three of their home games in the series.
San Antonio trailed by a point at intermission, but took control in the third period and owned an eight-point advantage going into the fourth.
The Spurs will be seeking their third NBA crown in seven years. The Championship Series opens June 9.
