BASKETBALL:The San Antonio Spurs held off a late challenge by the Utah Jazz to win their Western Conference finals opener 108-100 in Texas.

Tim Duncan scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Manu Ginobili added 23 points and 10 assists as the hot-shooting Spurs sank 55 per cent of their shots. Deron Williams scored 34 points to lead Utah with Carlos Boozer contributing 20 points and 12 rebounds. San Antonio enjoyed an 18-point advantage with 10 minutes left, before Utah's late rally.

Game two is set for San Antonio tonight. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Detroit Pistons met the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first play-off game in the Motor City early this morning.