Tony Parker is challenged by New Jersey's Kenyon Martin NBA finals photo gallery

San Antonio took a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals series with an 84-79 victory over New Jersey.

Tony Parker was San Antonio's hero as the Spurs condemned the Nets to only their second home defeat at "The Swamp" in the play-offs this season.

The French guard scored 26 points and dominated down the stretch, landing 17 points in the final 14 minutes.

Parker, at 21 the fourth-youngest player to appear in an NBA finals game, also had six assists.

Regular season MVP Tim Duncan contributed 21 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists for San Antonio.

Kenyon Martin led the Nets with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Kerry Kittles had 21 points and Jason Kidd added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

A dull first quarter saw the Nets take a 21-15 lead. There was little improvement in the second quarter as the Nets scored just nine points to allow San Antonio a 33-30 advantage at the halfway stage.

I'm really impressed with what he can do at this young age Spurs coach Greg Popovich on Tony Parker

It was the lowest scoring first half in NBA finals history with the Spurs committing seven turn-overs and both sides shooting poorly.

But San Antonio went on a 15-2 run in the second quarter as the Nets sank only 4-of-14 from the field.

All-Star guard Kidd, who turned in a clutch 30-point effort in game two, was off-form in the first half but then perked up with two quick baskets as the Nets began the second half with a seven-point mini-run to edge in front 37-33.

But in a game devoid of any real flow, the Nets were unable to capitalise on their advantage.

And Parker made them pay midway through the final quarter when he sparked the Spurs on a 15-2 run to forge a 73-62 lead.

Fuelled by the support of the home crowd, the Nets trimmed the deficit to 77-75 but could get no closer.