Spurs capture opener vs. Cavs

~ San Antonio posted an 85-76 home victory in Game 1.

By TOM WITHERS

The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO -- One of the most anticipated debuts in NBA finals history was way, way off the mark.

A LeBrick, if you will.

LeBron James couldn't solve San Antonio's stifling defense and the pick-and-rolling Spurs, as fundamental and selfless as ever, outclassed Cleveland in an 85-76 win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 on Thursday night.

Tim Duncan had 24 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, and Tony Parker added 27 points for the Spurs, who began their quest for a fourth championship since 1999 by putting on a basketball clinic for the Cavs, finals rookies, who have a ton of work to do if they have any intention of making this a competitive series.

With the eyes of Texas, a curious hoops nation and the world upon him, the 22-year-old James, who has rarely failed to rise to any occasion, flopped like never before on the game's grandest stage.

James shot just 4-of-16 from the field and finished with 14 points against the Spurs led by Bruce Bowen.

This was not the series opener James -- or the NBA -- had hoped for. His first foray into the finals was hyped in the days leading up to the game as many wondered if he could deliver the way Michael Jordan once did.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday night in San Antonio. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) will be in Cleveland.

The Spurs, who lost twice to the Cavaliers during the regular season, seemed to be one step ahead of James all night. When he cut left, they cut him off. When he tried going right, they were right there. By the time James made his first outside jumper -- a 3-pointer with 6:54 left -- the Spurs had built a 74-59 lead.

The 31-year-old Duncan, labeled boring because of his lack of flash, did what he always does: dominate.

The Big Fundamental knocked down open jumpers, freed up teammates with crunching picks and generally had his way against Cleveland's frontline for San Antonio, which was lifted by its crowd's incessant chants of "Go, Spurs, Go."

James, who began 0-for-8 from the field, finally got his first basket with 7:15 left in the third quarter, blasting down the lane through a pack of Spurs to hit a scoop shot that brought the Cavs within 46-41.

But Bowen responded with a 3-pointer, Manu Ginobli hit another from long range and Duncan dished to Parker for a layup to make it 56-47. On the Spurs' next trip, Parker weaved his way inside and dropped in a layup, the ball sitting on the rim for several seconds before finally falling.

The Spurs eventually pushed their lead to 64-49 after three, and then opened the final period with 3-pointers by Robert Horry and Ginobli to open their biggest lead, 70-52 with 8:50 left.

Two 3-pointers by James and a few jumpers by rookie Daniel Gibson, who led the Cavaliers with 16 points, cleaned up the score but it wasn't nearly that close as Cleveland shot under 40 percent until a late barrage.

James left with 45 seconds to go, dejectedly slumping into his seat after a night he'd probably like to forget.

Before taking the floor for their first finals game in Cleveland's 37-year history, the Cavaliers huddled near the tunnel for a prayer. Then, James and his teammates repeated something they've done since the first day of training camp.

"On three, championship," James instructed. "One, two, three."

"Championship," the Cavs said in unison.

But it became clear very early on that any climb to a title would be steep.

The Spurs, who hadn't played in a week since beating Utah in the Western Conference finals, showed no early rust. They started 7-of-9 from the field as Parker and Duncan combined for 14 of San Antonio's first 16 points as San Antonio opened a 20-15 lead after one.

Every time James took off for the basket, a Spurs defender -- or two or three -- was waiting for him. On one drive, he had his headband yanked off by Duncan, who got posterized on a dunk by James in the first meeting between the teams in November.

Seven months later, Duncan got even.

On the occasion of his fourth finals, the three-time finals MVP, arrived at the arena with a freshly shaved head -- typically a sign that he's ready to step up his game. He has been reluctant to talk about his place in history or the Spurs' ascension to dynastical levels.

But if this game was any indication, San Antonio may soon have to be recognized as one of the league's great powers.

James seems to have it all: the money, the fame, a loving family, a 35,000-square foot house under construction and the adoration of an entire city starved to finally have a sports team on top.

But the "Chosen One," who first graced Sports Illustrated's cover when he was 17, entered the finals perhaps needing an NBA title to validate his greatness. There have been other elite players -- Charles Barkley, John Stockton and George Gervin top the list -- who never got a championship ring.

Does he feel he must win to be immortalized?

"That's not my room to say," James said. "When you look at guys who become greats, it's because of their athletic ability and their ability to do the things that they did as an individual. I don't get involved in individual things."

On Thursday, the Spurs didn't let him get involved at all.

Notes: Game 1 winners have gone on to win the series 17 of 23

times since 1984. ... American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem. ... The finals always bring out celebrities of all shapes and sizes as well as great former players including Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler, Bob Lanier, David Robinson and Grant Hill. Erving spent time before the game chatting with actress Eva Longoria, Parker's fiancee. Later, when Erving was introduced to the crowd, Ewing bowed several times to salute "Dr. J." ... Horry is trying to win his seventh NBA title. "Big Shot Rob" won two with Houston (1994, 1995), three with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-02) and one with San Antonio (2005).