PHOENIX – The only way Tim Duncan’s aching ankles are going to feel better is with rest, and the only way he’ll get it is if the San Antonio Spurs sweep the Western Conference finals.

Thanks to Duncan, they’re halfway there.

Duncan scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half and Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry made key baskets in the last 2:33, giving the Spurs a 111-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns last night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Steve Nash and the Suns took it to the buzzer, though, getting a chance to force overtime when Ginobili missed one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left. Nash took the inbounds pass and raced up the court, getting a step past Tony Parker but being picked up by defensive ace Bruce Bowen just before shooting a 3-pointer on the run.

It was on line but short, hitting the front rim to seal Phoenix’s first consecutive losses since April 8-9. Suns coach Mike D’Antoni grimaced and Nash walked off blank-faced and spent from playing 46 minutes, comforted in the arms of teammate Jake Voskuhl.

The Suns are in an unenviable position: No NBA team has lost Games 1 and 2 at home this deep into the playoffs and still won the series. Four teams have rallied from 0-2 in the conference finals or Finals, but all were headed home for Games 3 and 4.

The Spurs are thrilled to be headed home, too, as they’re 43-4 in San Antonio. The only solace for the Suns is that they won the most road games in the NBA this season and they might have third-leading scorer Joe Johnson back for the next game, on Saturday night.