The San Antonio Spurs have produced an amazing come-from-behind 88-85 victory over the Phoenix Suns to take the upper hand in the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-final series.

San Antonio trailed by 16 points just before half-time, and then by 11 early in the final quarter, before Argentine Manu Ginobili nailed 15 points in the final 10 minutes to give the Spurs a 3-2 series lead.

Playing without suspended duo Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw the Suns exploded out of the blocks to open up a 24-13 lead at quarter time.

With Shawn Marion, James Jones and Kurt Thomas filling the void perfectly, the Suns kept their 11-point buffer intact as both teams headed to the rooms for half-time.

Tim Duncan, Michael Finley and Tony Parker brought the Spurs closer early in the third quarter, before a three-pointer from Bruce Bowen and another from Ginobili late in the term cut the Suns lead to six points at the final change.

Raja Bell connected on an early three-pointer and Thomas hit two free throws to push the Suns lead out to 11, before Ginobili took over down the stretch to guide the Spurs home.

Ginobili finished with a game-high 26 points, Duncan contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds, Finley shot 13, while Parker was useful with 11 points of his own.

With Leandro Barbosa fouling out late in the game with just eight points, the Suns were led by Marion with 24 points, point-guard Steve Nash tried hard with 19 points and 12 assists, while Thomas was serviceable with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

The series now heads to San Antonio for game six on Saturday afternoon, with the Suns to regain the services of Stoudemire and Diaw, while Spurs back-up centre Robert Horry will miss once again through suspension.

In Cleveland, Jason Kidd netted 20 points as the New Jersey Nets held on to record a 83-72 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of their Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Despite scoring just six points in the final term, the Nets had opened up a resounding 18-point lead by three-quarter-time, and held on to force another game in an intriguing series.

Kidd led four team-mates in scoring in double figures, Richard Jefferson the best of them with 15 points, while Mikki Moore (14 points), Bostjan Nachbar (13 points) and Vince Carter (12 points) contributed well.

For the Cavaliers, only LeBron James (20 points) and centre Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16 points) scored in double figures, with guard Larry Hughes held to just seven points on woeful 3-of-17 shooting.

Game six of the series will be held in New Jersey on Saturday morning (Australian time), before the series will head back to Cleveland for game seven if required.

NBA RESULTS
Cleveland Cavaliers 72 New Jersey Nets 83 - Cavaliers lead series 3-2
Phoenix Suns 85 San Antonio Spurs 88 - Spurs lead series 3-2