SAN ANTONIO ? San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich insisted that after the championship rings were handed out, his players would wipe last season from their memories and think only of the games ahead.

Well, the jewelry was distributed before Tuesday night’s opener against Phoenix, and the Spurs seemed to forget too much too soon.

But with time almost gone, they remembered how to win.

Anthony Carter’s offensive rebound with 28 seconds to play lifted the Spurs to an 83-82 victory in a game in which San Antonio trailed by as many as 15 points in the opening minutes and led for a total of 46 seconds.

Carter, starting in place of the injured Tony Parker, helped seal the win with his defense on Stephon Marbury on the final possession.

“It was looking real ugly at the beginning but we knew we had a 48-minute game,” said Carter, who finished with 10 points and six assists in his first game as a Spur. “Everybody just stayed focused and did their job.”

Marbury, who finished with 24 points, tried to isolate Carter, but the Suns point guard could manage only an awkward 18-foot jumper with about nine seconds remaining.

Marbury got his own rebound and missed another jumper that was rebounded by the Suns’ Penny Hardaway, who missed a 14-footer. The ball was being batted around when time expired.

“(Carter) had him at the end and stayed with him and contested his shot,” Popovich said. “He made it tough for him.”

San Antonio's Tim Duncan, center, goes to the hoop against Phoenix defenders Shawn Marion, left, and Amare Stoudemire. Duncan led San Antonio with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Spurs defeated the Suns, 83-82, Tuesday night in San Antonio.

Suns coach Frank Johnson said his team played good defense, but he credited the Spurs.

“That’s what’s so great about this game,” he said. “You keep fighting and clawing and maybe something good happens.”

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Malik Rose had 12 points and Ron Mercer 11. Shawn Marion added 20 points for Phoenix, which defeated the Spurs in three of their four regular-season matchups last season. Amare Stoudemire and Jake Voskuhl both fouled out and had 10 points.

Hardaway said Stoudemire’s absence down the stretch hurt the Suns.

“We really need him to be in the game to have a chance to win,” he said.

Before the game, the San Antonio players, coaches and executives were presented their diamond-heavy rings. Former Spurs David Robinson, Steve Kerr and Danny Ferry, all now retired, returned.

76ers 89, Heat 74

Philadelphia — Allen Iverson had 26 points and 11 assists, and Kenny Thomas added 15 points as Philadelphia beat Miami in the season opener for both teams.

New Sixers coach Randy Ayers, Larry Brown’s top assistant for six seasons, won his debut. Brown left Philadelphia for Detroit.

Miami coach Stan Van Gundy, promoted last week after Pat Riley stepped down, lost his first game. Riley remains the team president.

Dwyane Wade scored 18 points in his first NBA game. Eddie Jones scored 15 points and Brian Grant added 13 for the Heat, who played all but the first eight minutes without forward Lamar Odom. Odom sprained his right ankle. X-rays were negative.

Odom was the centerpiece of Miami’s offseason overhaul, signing a $65 million, six-year contract. The Heat could have used him in the fourth.

Philadelphia broke the game open with a 12-0 run to start the fourth quarter after the Heat closed within three at the end of the third.

Lakers 109, Mavericks 93

Los Angeles — The new-look Los Angeles Lakers didn’t need Kobe Bryant to do what they always do against the Dallas Mavericks.

With Gary Payton leading the fast break and Karl Malone providing plenty of everything, the Lakers put aside their squabbles and defeated Dallas at home for the 26th consecutive time.

Payton had 21 points and nine assists, and Malone added 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to barely miss the fourth triple-double of his career. Both received standing ovations when they left in the fourth quarter, with Bryant among those lavishing the two newcomers with applause.