Spurs' stifling defense too much for Phoenix

SAN ANTONIO — This was the San Antonio Spurs everyone expects, the guys in black smothering the fun out of any offense, even the most high-powered.

Eliminating the fast break, denying the paint and running at 3-point shooters, Tim Duncan and the Spurs dismantled everything the Phoenix Suns tried for most of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, turning their superb defense into a 102-92 victory Saturday night that puts them on the brink of reaching the championship round.

San Antonio held Phoenix under 106 points for the first time this postseason, mainly by giving up just 36 first-half points, including a measly 10 in the second quarter. The Suns finally made a charge in the fourth quarter, getting within six twice in the final minute, but the Spurs fought it off with Duncan and Manu Ginobili going 6-of-6 from the foul line.

The Spurs lead 3-0, and no team ever rallied from that deficit to win a series in the NBA playoffs. Phoenix seems pretty unlikely to change it; if the young Suns weren't rattled by getting outscored twice at home by defense-oriented San Antonio, then this throttling had to leave them shaking their heads.

Game 4 is Monday night. The Suns can send the series back to Phoenix with a win, while a San Antonio victory would put the Spurs into the NBA Finals for the second time in three years and third time in seven.

The Spurs won both times they were there, beating the New York Knicks in 1999 and the New Jersey Nets in 2003.

Duncan led San Antonio with 33 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. A mediocre foul shooter most of his career, he was perfect on 15 attempts and hit tough several baskets in the closing minutes to help hold off Phoenix's charge. An appreciative crowd responded by standing and chanting "M-V-P!" during his final four free throws.

Tony Parker had 18 points and seven assists and Ginobili had 18 points and seven rebounds, including the final one, which he cradled while time ran out on San Antonio's fifth straight victory and 44th in 48 home games this season.

Amare Stoudemire led the Suns with 34 points, but it was his lowest in seven games this season against the Spurs. He scored 16 in the fourth quarter, helping Phoenix make sure it went down fighting.

Joe Johnson was solid in his first game since breaking a bone near his left eye May 11, hitting his first two shots and scoring 15 points. He was 6-of-14, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers, so the mask he wore must not have bothered him much.