Spurs 20-Game Win Streak Ends With 20-Point Loss To OKC
Wednesday afternoon, Thunder Coach Scott Brooks held a film session after practice and made each player observe every uncontested layup and three-pointer made from their game 2 loss. The OKC players responded to their coach by winning game 3 ending San Antonio’s streak taking their first steps into making this a series. Thursday night, with the whole sports world watching game 3 of the WCF, Oklahoma City came out as the only team focused and determined to win this game. In the opening minutes of the game, OKC jumped out to an 8-0 lead by Thabo Sefolosha with FOUR steals. Almost 4 minutes had gone by before San Antonio got their first points of the game from a Tim Duncan jump shot. At the start of the 2nd quarter, Manu Ginobli would hit a 3-pointer over Ibaka but that would be his only field goal of the game. From that point OKC just went on a clinic on San Antonio outscoring them 32-17 in the quarter leading by as many as 15. Fast-forwarding, the third quarter became the Durant-Sefolosha show as they combined to score 15 just 4 shy of the Spurs quarter total. Thabo Sefolosha put the stamp on the game hitting a big 3-pointer putting OKC up by 18 before the start of the 4th. In the 4th quarter, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to just rest Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for game 4. With Duncan and Parker on the bench, the Thunder were left with Ginobli and the others as they coasted to the finish line. Midway through the 4th, OKC was up by as my as 27 points and that would be the last of the Thunder starters for game 3. Derek Fisher would keep this embarrassing lead in tact as OKC played their bench in final 6 minutes of the game as well.
On paper, the player of game 3 in OKC’s victory was Kevin Durant who had 22 points going 8-17 from floor; but the real player of the game was Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha contributed 19 points shooting 4-10 from long distance and played tough defense on Spurs PG, Tony Parker. He contributed to 6 of the Thunders 14 steals. In the losing effort, Parker was held to half of what he scored in game 2 netting 16 points going 6-12 from the floor. Stephen Jackson who finished with 16 points matching Tony Parker’s point total, was the only Spur last night last that showed up from the plane. This loss ended San Antonio’s NBA record for longest streak carried into the playoffs from the regular season at 20. Manu Ginobli who played good in both games 1 and 2, was held to just 8 points going 1-5. One thing that helped OKC in last night’s win was getting out on the open break with defensive stops lead by Sefolosha and Westbrook for easy transition buckets. Heading into game 4 this Saturday, the Thunder get their shot to even the series at 2 games apiece but this game is more meaningful to San Antonio just off the strength that they could have the mindset going back home knowing they possibly won’t have to play again in OKC. If OKC wins game 4, that guarantees the series extension to at least 6 games with the possibly of 7, which the Spurs do not want. The big questions before Saturday’s game 4 are, will the Spurs start a new winning streak or will the Thunder make this a new series? Only time will tell people!
Game 3 is scheduled this Saturday on TNT with a tip-off set for 8:30 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Oklahoma City Thunder | Spurs Lead 2-1
Game 1: San Antonio 101, Oklahoma City 98
Game 2: San Antonio 120, Oklahoma City 111
Game 3: Oklahoma City 102, San Antonio 82
Game 4: at OKC, Sat. June 2, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5: at SAS, Mon. June 4, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)
Game 6: at OKC, Wed. June 6, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)
Game 7: at SAS, Fri. June 8, 9 p.m., TNT (If Necessary)
Bonus: Kevin Durant flies by the Spurs in the Dunk Of The Night