The Spurs’ backs were to the wall but they rose up like most experienced winners do by posting a 97-88 Game Two victory over the Nuggets to even their best-of-seven first round series which will now shift to the Rocky Mountains.

In Game One, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan had quiet nights while dynamic Nugget scoring duo Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony were big time combining for 61 of their 95 points in a six-point win. Tonight at the Alamo Dome, the two Spurs stars bounced back with solid performances. Duncan finished with a team high 22 along with seven boards and five assists while valuable sixth man Ginobili chipped in with 17 on 6-of-12 shooting including one trey and 4-for-4 from the line in 29 minutes. He also dished out four assists.

While they got the job done, AI and Melo were held to 46 points- 15 less than in the first game. Each had tough shooting nights going a combined 17-for-46. Trailing by double digits late, Iverson did spark a 23-9 run which included his only two three’s back-to-back to slice the deficit to 91-88 in the final minute. But the Big Fundamental answered by banking one home to spark his club to the game’s final six points for the big ‘W.’

The Spurs also got 20 points and six dimes from point guard Tony Parker.

One other noticeable difference was bench scoring, where San Antonio thanks in large part to Ginobili held a 30-7 edge. That kind of depth could be a factor as this series evolves.

In the lone Eastern Game 2, LeBron James and Co. made it two straight home wins for the Cavaliers over Washington to go up 2-0 on the Wizards.

James finished with 27, 8 and 7 while teammate Drew Gooden chipped in with a double double (24 and 14) as four Cleveland starters reached double figures in a 109-102 victory.

Remaining Washington star Antawn Jamison paced them with a game high 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting including three-for-eight from downtown. He also added 10 rebounds. Point guard Antonio Daniels had 11 points and 11 assists in the loss as the Wizards were very competitive despite no Gilbert Arenas or Caron Butler.

They made a good push in the final quarter outscoring their opponents 39-34 thanks to some strong bench play. Brendan Haywood (13), Darius Songalia (13) and Roger Mason (10) all hit for double digits to keep it close- supplying a 38-14 edge off the bench.

Eddie Jordan’s shorthanded club has proven they can stay in games despite the big blows to two of their All Stars. We’ll see how they fare for Game 3 back in the nation’s capital.

In the lone late game out West, top seeded Dallas has taken control against Golden State leading by 10 late in the third quarter. They again have had problems containing all of the explosive Warriors’ scoring. Four Golden State starters are in double figures with Stephen Jackson leading the way with 24.

In this game, the Mavs already have five players in double digits and are being led by Josh Howard’s 20. Dirk Nowitzki has 15 including seven in the third quarter. Super sub Jerry Stackhouse has come off the bench to add 11 and eight boards after a terrible Game One in which he was blanketed.

At last check, it was 84-74 with 27 ticks in the third quarter.

The Mavs must have this game to level the series as it transitions to Golden State.