Basketball: The San Antonio Spurs are NBA champions for the fourth time in eight years after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 83-82 on Thursday night to complete a four-game finals sweep of their Eastern Conference rivals.
On a night where superstars on both sides struggled, Frenchman Tony Parker took over the game with 24 points to help take the trophy back to Texas. Parker, who was 10 from 14 from the field during the night, was named Most Valuable Player.
San Antonio survived a furious Cleveland fightback in the fourth quarter to finish off the series, helped by key free-throw shooting from bench star Manu Ginobili.
Ginobili scored six free throws in the final half-minute of the game to seal the victory - including the eventual winner.
Ginobili, who finished the game with 27 points, highlighted the Spurs' depth from the bench while Robert Horry provided a fantastic defensive foil for Tim Duncan (10 defensive rebounds and two sensational blocks).
Cheered on by Parker's fiancee Eva Longoria and his fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry, the Spurs limited Cavs star LeBron James to just 24 points - although he also had himself to blame by only netting 10 field goals from 30 attempts.
He was equally dreadful on the line, succumbing the pressure of a rabid home crowd by only netting two times in six attempts.
James wasn't the only Cavalier not to perform. Drew Gooden, the pick of their players in game three, only managed 11 points while Daniel Gibson produced 10 as the Cavs continued to suffer without regular season swingman Larry Hughes, out with a foot injury.
In a league which is known for its superstars, Duncan was quick to praise his team-mates after they won tough series against Denver, Phoenix, Utah and Cleveland to take the title.
"The road that we took to get here was as tough as we ever had it. Guys persevered, we had great performances from one to 12."