EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1992 because LeBron James finally got a little help — from two very unexpected sources.

Little-used subs Donyell Marshall and Daniel Gibson combined for 17 fourth-quarter points and the Cavaliers posted an 88-72 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Friday night to reach the conference final only four years into King James' career.

"It's a great feeling," said James, who had 23 points, eight assists and eight rebounds despite sitting almost seven minutes in the third quarter with four fouls. "This is one of the best feelings I've ever had as a basketball player."

James won't get much time to enjoy it: Cleveland will open the conference finals against the top-seeded Pistons on Monday night in Detroit.

"It will be a tough series," said Drew Gooden, who added 16 points and seven rebounds. "This is my third time seeing them in a playoff atmosphere and I am tired of losing to those guys."

In some ways, the Cavaliers are lucky they weren't facing a Game 7 against the Nets on Sunday. They built a 22-point lead and almost squandered it when James got his second, third and fourth fouls in the opening five minutes of the second half.

Spurs 114, Suns 106

SAN ANTONIO — The Suns put a run together Friday in the fourth quarter, but it was too late. With Steve Nash leading the way, the Suns cut a 20-point Spurs lead to five with under a minute to go.

"They fought back in the fourth quarter, never gave up," San Antonio's Tim Duncan said. "Time just ran out on them."

And on their season.

The Spurs closed out Phoenix 4-2 and will now meet the Jazz beginning Sunday in San Antonio. It's the Spurs' third trip to the conference finals in the last five years, and they've won the title in 1999, 2003 and 2005.

Manu Ginobili had 33 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for the Spurs. Tony Parker added 30 points, while Duncan had 24 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocked shots.