"The guys were great all around — we never gave up," said Duncan, who had 39 points and 14 rebounds after struggling with foul trouble and poor shooting in Game 3. "We've been through this a lot this year and kind of pushed through all of it, so I don't think anyone of us gave up at any point."

Parker praised Duncan.

"He had a great rhythm tonight, he was aggressive, didn't think about it and every time he had a shot he took it," Parker said. "That was the great Tim Duncan I know."

Manu Ginobili provided a spark off the bench for the third straight game, hitting 12 of 16 free throws to finish with 24 points and six assists. Parker finally had success getting into the lane against the Nuggets, hitting 11 of 19 shots and dishing out seven assists.

The Spurs can close out the series in Game 5 tomorrow in San Antonio, where the Spurs have lost three times all season — but fell in the series opener to Denver.

"If we don't finish it in the fifth game we have to come here again," Ginobili said. "You don't want to be in that situation because then you give them a chance."

Earl Boykins scored 32 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 28. It still wasn't enough for the Nuggets, who need to win three straight to keep from bowing out in the first round for the second straight year.