San Antonio's Manu Ginobili shoots over the Suns' Boris Diaw during the third quarter of the Spurs' series-clinching victory.

ERIC GAY / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

More Photos (1):

Related articles:

Great series on paper now a dud; Spurs up by three Suns search for 'miracle' vs. Spurs Suns finally rise, keep series alive

Other articles by Elizabeth White:

L.A. takes 3-1 series lead with road win Playing at home, San Antonio remembers how to hold big lead Spurs win easily, force Game 7 in New Orleans Laid-back Duncan gives Spurs a spark Parker, Ginobili help Spurs weather Paul Phoenix wins in 'playoff atmosphere' Government takes public testimony on Texas border fenceTighter border security might spoil holiday cheer for visitors and retailersCalamity Jane's pistol, Pancho Villa's revolver being auctioned Mercury one game from finals after late controversial foul call

Engineering
Knight Piesold & Co
Engineer General
The Graham Group
Assistant to the Building Manager Mechanical
Pioneer Landscaping
Diesel Fleet Mechanic General
Grocery/Market Mgr-Cafe/Restaurant Mgr Driver/Transportation
RENZENBERGER
ROAD AND YARD VAN DRIVERS Production and Manufacturing
Pioneer Landscaping
Crushing Crew Trades/Construction
Wentz and Patrick Construction
Carpenters & Helpers

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan was not all smiles after the San Antonio Spurs eliminated the Phoenix Suns yet again from the playoffs. Written on the big man's face was only one thing: relief.

"Just happy we're done with them," he said.

Really, was there ever any doubt?

The Spurs dispatched the Suns with a 92-87 Game 5 victory Tuesday in what has become almost a postseason ritual for the defending champions.

The veteran team moves on to the Western Conference semifinals against the No. 2 seed Hornets, led by playoff rookie Chris Paul, in a series that begins Saturday in New Orleans.

The Suns go home again, falling to their postseason nemesis for the second straight year and the fourth time in five playoff appearances. The Hornets finished off their series with the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, also in five games.

"We went up against a team that knows how to win," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Every time we needed to close something out — a half or a game — they got the best of us. That's why they're the champions."

Duncan had 29 points and 17 rebounds, and Tony Parker scored 31 points for San Antonio. They were the only Spurs to score in double digits.

Boris Diaw, who had a near triple-double in the Suns' rout of the Spurs in Game 4, led the Suns with 22 points. Amare Stoudemire had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Shaquille O'Neal added 13 points.

"Every year it seems like we always play the Spurs, and they beat us every single time," Stoudemire said. "As long as I'm here we're going to break it sooner or later, because I'm tired of losing to these guys. I'm sick and fed up."

Five Suns players scored in double figures, and they outshot the Spurs from the field, but they had a number of costly turnovers down the stretch.

With the Spurs up 88-87 after battling back and forth with the Suns throughout the fourth quarter, Manu Ginobili, who had been cold all night, hit one of two from the line with 25 seconds on the clock.

Steve Nash could not get ahold of Raja Bell's inbounds pass, and Phoenix sent Ginobili to the line again with 23 seconds left. Ginobili hit both on that trip to make it 91-87.

Nash's three-point attempt missed, and Duncan hit another free throw. Diaw's last-second three-point try missed, but it would not have made a difference.

Nash had three of the Suns' seven fourth-quarter turnovers and finished with only three assists.

"We should have probably just calmed down a little bit. I'll take the responsibility for that. I know I made a couple of key turnovers that cost us, and we didn't deserve to win," Nash said.

"I think on paper we have more talent than they do. But I think their experience, their commitment and understanding of what they're trying to do is greater than ours. Their ability to play together and make small plays on both ends of the floor is unsurpassed."

The Spurs outscored the Suns 23-15 in the fourth quarter, led by nine points apiece from Duncan and Parker.

"We treated it like a Game 7 in the fourth quarter," Parker said.

"We just stayed in the game and kept fighting."

The Spurs hit 24 of 30 free throws, led by 13-of-16 shooting by Parker.