Tenacious, tempestuous defense and gear-grinding offense - not always a cause and effect - have transformed these N.B.A. finals into a masterpiece of masonry.

Scoring is optional, though highly recommended. Defense is nonnegotiable. First team to win two games, if not break 80, raises the Larry O'Brien Trophy in San Antonio.

For the Nets and the Spurs, that is where the glitz and glamour of this series rests. After the Nets' desperate 77-76 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday, the teams are mud-locked at two games apiece heading into Friday's pivotal Game 5 at Continental Arena. In the 22 times the N.B.A. finals have been tied 2-2, the team that has won Game 5 has gone on to win the championship 73 percent of the time, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"After that last performance, guys will be highly motivated," said the Spurs' veteran center, David Robinson. "I sincerely doubt you'll see anything like last game."