Dirk Nowitzki moves the ball against Michael Finley
© AFP/Getty Images Stephen Dunn

SAN ANTONIO, United States (AFP) - Duncan scored a season-high 36 points, sinking his first 12 shots, and added 12 rebounds to spark the Spurs past Dallas 98-97 here Wednesday, cutting Dallas' edge in the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final to 3-2.

With the Spurs clinging to a lead by the final margin, Argentina's Manu Ginobili stole the ball and grabbed a rebound to keep the ball in San Antonio's possession until Tony Parker missed and the Mavericks took over.

San Antonio's Bruce Bowen blocked a Nowitzki shot and Ginobili scrambled after the ensuing jump ball to force another. The Mavericks missed a final shot at the buzzer and missed a chance to oust the Spurs on their own home court.

The series continues Friday at Dallas with a seventh game here Monday if needed.

"Great win for us. We're in do or die," said Duncan. "We're really confident going into their building and try to get another one."

French guard Parker added 27 points for the Spurs and Argentine guard Ginobili added 18 points for San Antonio.

Tim Duncan (R) attempts a shot against Erick Dampier
© AFP/Getty Images Stephen Dunn

"A lot of guys in the league play hurt. I'm trying to be aggressive and do what I can," Parker said.

Duncan, who hit 13-of-19 shots for the game and all 11 of his first-half shots, appreciated Ginobili's heroics in the final seconds.

"He was all over going after the ball," Duncan said. "That's the kind of effort it's going to take. I'm going to keep trying to do that, keep coming out with that effort."

Nowitzki led Dallas with 31 points and Josh Howard added 16 but the Mavericks were unable to close the Spurs out at the finish as they had in the prior three games.

"We didn't really lose the game in the last possession," Nowitzki said. "We had plenty of opportunities to win this game. A tough loss. That's basketball."

"We gave them a little adversity," Spurs coach Greg Popovich said.

The Mavericks must win at home to avoid returning to San Antonio for an emotional seventh-game showdown against the defending league champions.

"Now we go home and hope our fans give us energy, get the adrenaline going," Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said. "We didn't get to the line as much as they did. Hopefully we can get some better breaks at the end of the next one.

Our guys are playing hard and battling. They are putting themselves in good position. Now we have to go home and play with that intensity for long periods of time."

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