Byron Scott earned his first N.B.A. finals victory as a coach tonight.

In the process, he answered the question that had threatened to define this series: How do you stop Tim Duncan?

How do you contain a 7-foot power forward who has range, versatility and who plays all aspects of the game with textbook precision?

The quick answer is that you play Dikembe Mutombo. The better answer, the answer for a team that wants to be in this series for the long haul, is that you adjust.

Tonight, on the way to an 87-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, that adjustment meant double-teaming Tim Duncan and playing Mutombo earlier and longer.

Scott, who as a player won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, quickly put the victory in context.

"The object is to win a championship," he said. `Both teams have one win.

"All we did today was tie up the series and take the homecourt advantage."