Pirate Galaxy » Lions, Sharjah, 3.30pmThursday 11 Fe

MIAMI -- The San Antonio Spurs still have that winning NBA Finals formula of good defence and a little luck on offence. Tim Duncan overcame a slow start to finish with 20 points and 14 rebounds, Tony Parker banked in a desperation jumper on a broken play with 5.2 seconds left and the Spurs withstood LeBron James triple-double to beat the Miami Heat 92-88 on Thursday night in a thrilling Game 1. Parker ended up with 21 points after referees reviewed his shot to make sure it just beat the shot clock, giving San Antonio a four-point edge in the game that was close the whole way. "We got a little bit lucky in Game 1," Parker said. "Sometimes thats what it takes to win games." Playing for the championship for the first time since sweeping James Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 for their fourth title, the Spurs improved to 5-for-5 in Game 1s, hanging around for three quarters and then blowing by the defending champions midway through the fourth. Manu Ginobili, the third member of San Antonios Big Three that has combined for 99 post-season victories together, finished with 13 points, and Danny Green had 12. "It doesnt matter how were categorized -- old, veterans, whatever you call us, were in the mix," the 37-year-old Duncan said. San Antonio turned up its defence in the fourth quarter, limiting Miami to seven points in the first 8 1/2 minutes in returning to the finals just the way it left -- with a victory over James. James had 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists in his second straight NBA Finals triple-double, but he shot only 7 of 16 against some good defence by Kawhi Leonard, and Miamis offence stalled in the fourth quarter. "The Spurs are the Spurs," James said. "Theyre going to put you in positions where you feel uncomfortable offensively and defensively, and every time you make a mistake, theyre going to capitalize on it." Game 2 is Sunday night. James became a champion on this floor last year in Game 5 against Oklahoma City, but he hasnt forgotten his first taste of the finals. The Spurs overwhelmed his Cavaliers and James spoke Wednesday like someone who had payback in mind. He was 22 then, a fourth-year player headed for greatness but with holes in his game that San Antonio exploited. Revenge wont come easily -- if it comes at all. Dwyane Wade scored 17 points for the Heat but was shut out in the fourth quarter. Chris Bosh had only two of his 13 in the final period. James shot an airball on a 3-pointer on his first shot attempt, then was soon back to the step-in-front- of-him-at-your-own-risk force that has made him the games best player. But San Antonio handled that and everything else Miami did, even while only shooting 42 per cent from the field. "This is a hell of a game to play because both teams are so good offensively and defensively," Bosh said. "You cant have any letdowns." Forced to seven grueling games by the rugged Indiana Pacers in the East finals, the Heat clearly enjoyed the more wide-open flow of this game, making 18 of their first 30 shots. But the Spurs defence simply got better as the game went along, forcing Miami into five turnovers in the final quarter. "I thought we were a little fatigued honestly in the fourth quarter," Wade said. "Looking around, we looked like a team that came off a seven-game series." Miami outshot and outrebounded San Antonio in the first half, yet led only 52-49. The Heat stayed ahead until Parkers free throws gave San Antonio a 77-76 edge with 7:47 remaining. James set up Bosh for a jumper on the next possession for his 10th assist, but Leonard made a follow shot and Parker turned James turnover into a spinning layup and an 81-78 lead exactly halfway through the fourth. "We were just trying to hang," Parker said. "In the third quarter, the same thing. In the fourth quarter we finally made some stops and made a couple of big shots." The lead grew to seven, but Miami was back within two and appearing ready to get the ball back when Parker lost control of the ball and his balance as the clock was set to expire. He gathered the ball and his footing, turning and tossing it in as the light above the basket turned red. "Tonys shot is one of those things that happens sometimes," Ginobili said. "We got lucky today." It was an entertaining start to a matchup that seemed years in the making between perennial contenders, the Spurs making their fifth appearance and the Heat their fourth. Commissioner David Stern called it "probably the most anticipated finals in who knows, 30 years," likely more a bit of hyperbole in his final state of the league address than a comment meant to slight fans of the Celtics, Lakers, or Michael Jordans Bulls. It came with the promise of beautiful basketball between two fluid offences who were built differently but share common beliefs and a healthy respect. The Spurs value system over stardom, never asking for attention -- and too often not getting it. The Heat have been never been out of the spotlight from the moment James and Bosh showed up to join Wade, James vowing multiple titles as lights flashed and music boomed, showing they were going to be loud and impossible to ignore. The Heat have a assembled a deep supporting cast loaded with 3-point shooters that turned them into a 66-win powerhouse this season, sending the Spurs to the finals in the unfamiliar role of underdog. They handled it just fine. The Spurs hadnt played since May 27, when they finished off a sweep of Memphis in the Western Conference finals, and even coach Gregg Popovich said he didnt know what to expect. San Antonio turned it over on its first possession, leading to Wades fast-break dunk. Then the Spurs ran off nine straight points, showing the rest helped more than any rust hurt. Only Duncan, who has remained among the NBAs best, looked out of sync. He missed all five shots in the first quarter before going to the bench late in the period with his second foul. The Heat had a 38-29 lead by the time he returned, and he quickly got on the board with an inside basket en route to a 12-point second quarter. Back in the arena where James had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in last years closeout game, fans arrived to white shirts reading "Witness Miami" draped over their seats. The Miami fans didnt like what they witnessed, many leaving as referees reviewed Parkers shot. Notes: Duncan joined Elgin Baylor, A.C. Green and John Salley as the only players in NBA history to make a Finals appearance in three decades. Salley is the only one to win titles in three decades. ... The teams combined for 12 turnovers, tying the record for the fewest in a playoff game. San Antonio had just four. ... Eleven of the Spurs 15 players were making their finals debuts. Only Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Matt Bonner were on the 2007 team. ... The Spanish national soccer team was at the game, along with former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, whose No. 13 jersey is retired in the arena. Cheap Air Max Outlet . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Cheap Air Max Online . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. 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Taking place in the UAE, the tournament sees six teams, each made up of former international players, compete for the trophy.Wednesdays live-streamed second match sees Gemini Arabians, who have Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Englands Graham Onions in their squad, take on Capricorn Commanders, who have further home-grown talent in the shape of Michael Vaughan, Paul Collingwood and Rikki Clarke.This game has now ended.For more on how the competition works and the stellar team line-ups, click here.LIVE STREAM ON SKY SPORTS digital platformsWednesday 3 FebruaryLibra Legends v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 11am*Gemini Arabians v Capricorn Commanders, Sharjah, 3.30pmThursday 4 FebruaryLibra Legends v Sagittarius Strikers, Sharjah, 11amLeo Lions v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 3.30pmFriday 5 FebruarySagittarius Strikers v Gemiini Arabians, Sharjah, 11amCapricorn Commanders v Libra Legends, Sharjah, 3.dddddddddddd30pmSaturday 6 FebruaryGemini Arabians v Virgo Super Kings, Sharjah, 11amLeo Lions v Sagittarius Strikers, Sharjah, 3.30pmSunday 7 FebruaryVirgo Super Kings v Capricorn Commanders, Sharjah, 11amLibra Legends v Leo Lions, Sharjah, 3.30pmThursday 11 FebruarySemi-final 1 (1st place v 4th place), Dubai, 3.30pmFriday 12 FebruarySemi-final 2 (2nd place v 3rd place), Dubai, 3.30pmSaturday 13 FebruaryFinal, Dubai, 3.30pmUK and ROI residents can watch live streams from the Masters Champions League on Sky Sports digital platforms where you can also keep up-to-date with all the latest news throughout the tournament.* Available on Sky Sports Xtra only Also See: Fixtures/results Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Cricket videos ' ' '