Spurs win to advance to conference semifinals
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Michael Finley set a San Antonio playoff record with eight 3-pointers Wednesday night and the Spurs advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 93-78 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Finley finished with 26 points, Tim Duncan had 23 points and 12 rebounds and Tony Parker added 16 points and 10 assists for the third-seeded Spurs, who dropped Game 1 to the Nuggets at home before winning the next four in the first-round series.
It was a virtual repeat of 2005, when the Spurs lost Game 1 at home before winning the next four to eliminate Denver.
The Spurs will meet either the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns in the second round. Phoenix, which led 3-1, hosted Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Allen Iverson struggled from the field for his fourth straight game after scoring 31 points in Game 1. He was 6-of-22 from the field and had 21 points Wednesday, 10 in the fourth quarter.
Sixth-seeded Denver traded for Iverson in December to create an All-Star duo with Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony had 21 points in Game 5, while Steve Blake had 12 and Nene added 10. NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby had 19 rebounds.
Denver has not won a playoff series since 1994, when they beat Seattle in a best-of-five to become the first No. 8 seed to knock out a No. 1.
Finley was 8-of-9 on 3s while the Spurs finished 10-for-21 from beyond the arc.