Amare Stoudemire scored 31 points, then blocked Tim Duncan and grabbed a rebound in the final seconds in San Antonio on Monday to lift Phoenix past the Spurs 111-106 and keep the Suns' NBA title dream alive.
The Suns kept the Spurs from sweeping the best-of-seven Western Conference final and forced a game five today at Phoenix. The Suns are trying to become the first team in NBA history to advance after a 0-3 series start.
"Definitely a much stronger game," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We showed more determination than we had in the other three games. In the end, that's probably what did it."
Stoudemire said his late heroics simply came from a survival instinct, knowing that the Suns' NBA-best season was all for naught with another loss.
The Suns must win today to force a sixth game here on Friday and win that in order to have a chance to advance with a game seven victory at home on Sunday.
"We know it's just one game. We're going to Phoenix and just try to win one more game. We know what lurks around the corner. we're going to give it a shot. we're going top just roll with it," D'Antoni said.
Argentina's Manu Ginobili, who led the Spurs with 28 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:02 to play to lift the Spurs within 107-106, but Stoudemire answered with a basket on a pass from Steve Nash as the Canadian was falling down.
Duncan moved in for a dunk but Stoudemire leaped high and swatted the ball away with his outstretched right hand, giving the Suns possession once more.
Phoenix ran down the shot clock and missed but Stoudemire grabbed the rebound and the Suns kept possession, sinking two final free throws to clinch a victory that bore Stoudemire's signature.
"It was an amazing two minutes for him. I was in awe," Nash said. "That block of Tim was incredible. Beyond the spectacular plays he made, he was all over the place. Mentally and physically, he raised his game to another level."
Stoudemire could see the Suns' season setting as Duncan brought the ball up and prepared to make his critical late-game slam dunk.
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