They have Tim Duncan and no one else does, and on most nights that’s enough to give the Spurs the edge they need.

But last night, as brilliant as Duncan was, the Spurs needed more than his exploits to rise out of another tight, annoyingly tense game with the Nets. Duncan and Jason Kidd took turns showcasing their magnificence, but in the end, something was more was needed. The Spurs got it from Malik Rose and Steve Kerr, which is why they are ahead 3-2 in the NBA Finals after a 93-83 victory in Game 5 at the Meadowlands.

Kidd was magnificent, but so, too, was Duncan, who will soon add the Finals MVP to his 2002-03 NBA MVP award if the Spurs do the expected and secure the title back in San Antonio.

Duncan (29 points, 17 rebounds, four blocked shots) received more help than Kidd (29 points in the full 48 minutes), who through three quarters had 26 points but only two assists, proof that he had no one to lean on. The Spurs did not overwhelm Duncan with help, but Rose did shake off an 0-for-9 nightmare in Game 4 to come up with 14 points off the bench, and the ageless Kerr scored six late points, daggers to the Nets’ comeback bid.

“I’ve got the greatest job on earth,” said Kerr, the 37-year old sharpshooter who owns four championship rings. “I play six minutes, hit a few shots and come in and do interviews. It’s awesome.”

Kerr had played only two minutes in the first four games but when Manu Ginobili picked up his fourth foul, Kerr hit the court with 9:02 left. Duncan, who hit nine of 10 from the foul line, made two to put the Spurs up 80-76 with 3:40 remaining, and that’s when Kerr lit the Nets up. He took a pass out of the post from Duncan and did what he does best, launching and hitting a 3-pointer to inflate the Spurs lead to six points.

Kerr added another jumper and free throw and also swiped the ball from the ailing Kenyon Martin.

“I have the experience to not get nervous,” Kerr said. “I’ve done this a lot.”