Spurs win Round 1 with 84-69 victory

San Antonio delivered a techinical knockout in the fourth quarter.

SAN ANTONIO -- As soon as Ben Wallace flung away his headband in disgust, Game 1 of the NBA Finals got away from the defending champion Detroit Pistons, too.

Manu Ginobili started the game's decisive surge by bowling over Wallace early in the fourth quarter, a play that led to a blocking foul and a technical on Wallace that started the San Antonio Spurs on their way.

Ginobili's free throw on the technical began a 19-4 run that put San Antonio ahead by 16, and Ginobili added a dunk and a 3-pointer to stave off Detroit's subsequent rally as the Spurs defeated Detroit 84-69 Thursday night.

Ginobili had an awesome second half, especially in the fourth quarter when his drives into the lane produced several impressive baskets. Ginobili shot 9-for-10 in the second half and led all scorers with 26 points.

Tim Duncan added 24 points and 17 rebounds and Tony Parker scored 15 for the Spurs, who recovered from an early 13-point deficit to win the opener of the series -- only the third time in NBA history the past two champions have squared off in the finals.