The NBA Finals tipped off last night in Miami, and so too did Lebron James’s quest for vengeance against his Southwestern foe. But James will have to wait another day, as Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs snuck away with a game one victory over the Heat in their first Finals appearance since sweeping Lebron and the Cavaliers in 2007.

Though he started slow, Duncan ended with 20 points and 14 rebounds and Tony Parker contributed with 21 points including a prayer off the glass with 5.2 seconds left that would seal San Antonio’s victory. “We got a little bit lucky in Game 1,” Parker said. “Sometimes that’s what it takes to win games.”

Though Lebron would capture his second straight Finals triple-double, it wouldn’t be enough as he scored just 18 points on 7-16 shooting and looked a bit bewildered by San Antonio’s defense. From ESPN.com:

“The Spurs are the Spurs,” James said. “They’re going to put you in positions where you feel uncomfortable offensively and defensively, and every time you make a mistake, they’re going to capitalize on it.”

Dwayne Wade scored 17 points and Chris Bosh added 13 points in the loss.

Game 2 is Sunday night.