Spurs vs. Clippers Game 2 results, NBA playoffs 2015: Tim Duncan leads Spurs ...

San Antonio evens the series 1-1 with a classic game of playoff basketball.

Everyone knew this series would be the headliner of the first round. Not to take away from the other series, but Spurs-Clippers had "classic" potential -- two championship-level teams matching up in round one, trading punches until one finally bowed out.

In Game 2 on Wednesday, it was the Spurs who outlasted Los Angeles in an overtime death match, 111-107. Blake Griffin's triple double -- 29 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists -- fell short a vintage Tim Duncan game, who played 44 minutes while recording 28 points, 11 rebounds and 14-of-23 shooting.

With the Spurs up 88-80, J.J. Redick nailed a huge three-pointer sprinting to his left, ending a Spurs' run that felt like it could quickly balloon into double figures. San Antonio resorted to hack-a-DeAndre Jordan in the following, but after failing to score on the other end, Los Angeles crept back into the game and finally took an 94-92 lead with less than a minute to play.

Griffin had a chance for put the game away, but the ball slipped out of his hands in an isolation situation. With seconds left in the game, Patty Mills was fouled and tied it up at 94 with two free throws. Chris Paul couldn't nail a potential game-winning stepback jumper, setting up five minutes of free basketball.

The overtime period bounced back and forth, but tied at 101, Duncan hit one of those classic running one-handers he has made his entire career. This time, it put the Spurs up for good.

On the next play, Griffin turned it over and Mills slipped out past the defense, finding himself all alone for a layup on the other end. Even then, the Clippers didn't go away quietly. Paul hit a three-pointer and after a Duncan miss, J.J. Redick got an open transition look that could have tied it. It rimmed out by a fraction of an inch.

It was enough for the Spurs to even the series 1-1 as they head back to San Antonio for Game 3.

Here's three things we learned from the game.

1. This really is the marquee matchup of the first round

Every series in the 2015 sits at 2-0 but this one. Both of these teams are title contenders and sadly -- for them -- one will be sitting home after only one round. For those watching at home, though, this is thrilling. An overtime game with huge implications and classic plays from both sides? Sign us up for five more of these, please and thank you.

2. Tim Duncan is still undefeated against Father Time

How does he keep doing it? Duncan, who turns 39 this week, rattled off an incredible game. For 18 years, he has been using the same moves and tricks. On Wednesday, it didn't look like he'd ever slow down.

Coming into this series, Duncan was supposed to be the mismatched one. DeAndre Jordan is a physical monster and in theory has the tools to overpower him on both ends. Somehow, old man Duncan somehow keeps finding ways to hold his own.

3. Hack-a-Jordan has hidden consequences

In five trips starting with slightly less than five minutes to play, Jordan split his attempts, going 4-of-10 from the stripe. For a player shooting less than 40 percent this season, it's clear hack-a-whoever will work for you, mathematically speaking.

But in a fourth quarter dominated by Popovich playing that strategy, it's clear there are disadvantages to the plan too. San Antonio allowed three offensive rebounds off those missed free throws. Each trip gave the Los Angeles starters -- four who played 39 minutes or more -- a chance to catch their breath and set up their defense on the other end. Ignoring the morality arguments of whether the strategy is "right," there are certainly other concerns about whether it's a viable defensive plan for teams going forward.

SB Nation presents: Watch Blake Griffin posterize the defending champs

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/2015/4/23/8476689/clippers-spurs-2015-final-score-game-2-nba-playoffs