Repetition of NBA Regular Scores

The San Antonio Spurs won again.

Yesterday, the Spurs took advantage of league MVP Tim Duncan, and went on to beat the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Game 2 will take place on Thursday in San Antonio.

NBA fans are going wild over the semifinal games. This is a bout between two teams buttressed by Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) and O`Neal (L.A. Lakers). This year the Spurs had a better season the Lakers, but the combination of Bryant and O`Neal has earned an NBA title for the Lakers three times.

Yesterday, the combination demonstrated its power by making 61 points and 21 rebounds. The Duncan attack however, was stronger.

Tim Duncan, who received his MVP trophy before the game, had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Spurs, while rookie Manu Ginobili had 15 points, including a key 3-pointers and a pair of steals in the fourth quarter. Eliminated by Los Angeles in each of the previous two post-season games, the Spurs took advantage of Shaquille O`Neal`s fouling out late in the game.

The New Jersey Nets beat the Boston Celtics 97-93 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference seminal final Monday night.

Jason Kidd pushed his team’s lead to three points (96-93) with two free throws right before the end of the fourth. The two teams also met in last year’s final.

Pierce had a chance to tie the game for the Celtics just 7.4 seconds remaining, but missed a crucial three-pointer. Kenyon Martin overcame foul problems to score 21 points, and Kidd added 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Nets.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com