1998-99 San Antonio Spurs: Go Spurs Go! Part 3/4

San Antonio struggled in the first month of the lockout-shortened season. But once the Spurs hit their stride, nobody could block their path to the franchise's first NBA title.

The Spurs clinched the championship on Avery Johnson's jumper with 47 seconds left in Game 5 of the Finals, giving San Antonio a 78-77 victory over the New York Knicks. Tim Duncan averaged 27.4 points, 14 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the series and was named Finals MVP.

Duncan's fellow Twin Tower, David Robinson, also made his presence known. The perennial All-Star, in his 10th season with the Spurs, averaged 16.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the Finals as San Antonio became the first former ABA team to win the NBA title.

One of the most compelling story lines came to light after the season ended. Starting forward Sean Elliott revealed that he had played despite needing a kidney transplant. Elliott, who was battling a rare kidney disease, received the transplant Aug. 16. His brother Noel donated the kidney.

Elliott averaged 33.8 minutes in 17 playoff games and was responsible for the "Memorial Day Miracle." On that play, he tiptoed the sideline to stay inbounds before hitting a three-pointer with nine seconds left, lifting the Spurs to an 86-85 win over Portland in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

San Antonio's championship season had an inauspicious beginning as the Spurs went 6-8 in February. But the players eventually settled into a groove, and the team got a spark when veteran swingman Mario Elie joined the starting lineup. The Spurs went 31-5 after their slow start and they raced through the postseason with a 15-2 record.

Duncan was named to the All-NBA First Team for the second year in a row. He was the only NBA player to finish in the top 10 in scoring (21.7 ppg, sixth), rebounds (11.4 rpg, fifth), blocks (2.52, seventh) and field goal percentage (.495, 10th).

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[AustinTexasFTW]

Go SPURS GOOOOOOO!!!!

S.A. Fan for life!

[jermaineonealnumber7]

Man, those game 2s were a jinx, luckily that was not the case in the Finals.

[CitizenDick1]

If only Ewing and Johnson were injured. Things could have been different.

[32MRLEON]

Great vid!!!!