SAN ANTONIO, Texas, 1 June 2005 — Amare Stoudemire scored 31 points, then blocked Tim Duncan and grabbed a rebound in the final seconds here Monday to lift Phoenix past San Antonio 111-106 and keep the Suns’ NBA title dream alive.

The Suns kept the Spurs from sweeping the best-of-seven Western Conference final and forced a game five Wednesday at Phoenix. The Suns are trying to become the first team in NBA history to advance after an 0-3 series start.

“Definitely a much stronger game,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We showed more determination than we had in the other three games. In the end, that’s probably what did it.”

Stoudemire said his late heroics simply came from a survival instinct, knowing that the Suns’ NBA-best season was all for naught with another loss.

“Those plays needed to be done. I stepped up to make that block on Tim,” Stoudemire said. “When you’re down 0-3, it’s not easy to play with heart. But we came out there and played tough down the stretch.” The Suns must win Wednesday to force a sixth game here Friday and win that in order to have a chance to advance with a game seven victory at home Sunday.

“We know it’s just one game,” D’Antoni said. “We’re going to Phoenix and just try to win one more game. We know what lurks around the corner. we’re going to give it a shot. we’re going top just roll with it.”

Argentina’s Manu Ginobili, who led the Spurs with 28 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:02 to play to lift the Spurs within 107-106, but Stoudemire answered with a basket on a pass from Steve Nash as the Canadian was falling down.

Duncan moved in for a dunk but Stoudemire leaped high and swatted the ball away with his outstretched right hand, giving the Suns possession once more. “Just an extra force, an extra gear,” D’Antoni said of Stoudemire. “Got the block, went after it, just the determination of a guy that big and strong. He out-willed him.

“To be a champion, that’s what you have to do and that’s what he did.”

Phoenix ran down the shot clock and missed but Stoudemire grabbed the rebound and the Suns kept possession, sinking two final free throws to clinch a victory that bore Stoudemire’s signature.

“It was an amazing two minutes for him. I was in awe,” Nash said. “That block of Tim was incredible. Beyond the spectacular plays he made, he was all over the place. Mentally and physically, he raised his game to another level.”

Stoudemire could see the Suns’ season setting as Duncan brought the ball up and prepared to make his critical late-game slam dunk.

“Tim Duncan was wide open,” Stoudemire said. “I had to make that play to block that shot to keep us in the game. That’s what the playoffs are about.

“You fight to see who has the heart of champions. We’re not going to give up that easily. We haven’t given up. We just came out extremely strong.”

Duncan, double-teamed much of the night, had 15 points and 16 points but a woeful 3-of-12 from the free throw line.

“(Double-teaming) worked well for them. I didn’t get rid of the ball quick enough. It’s just something I have to adjust to in the next game,” Duncan said. “It’s frustrating,” Duncan said. “We’re still up 3-1. We’re still just have to get one more. I don’t think it shakes us. I think we go in there and regroup and try to get it again.”

The Suns finally made the most of their fast-paced offense, which had been shut down most of the series by the Spurs’ defense.