After a few blowouts, it’s about goddamn time the San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets series gave us a thriller. It was ugly at times and there were plenty of mistakes, but the Spurs came out victorious when it counted the most: in the clutch. And defensively too.
Manu Ginobli channeled the ghost of Ginobli past because he was dunking on the Rockets in the second quarter, scoring 12 points, but coming up with the best play of the game in overtime.
Manu blocked James Harden something nasty with seconds left in overtime and Houston trying to tie up the score.
LOOK AT THAT 39-YEAR OLD IN THE CLUTCH
That’s not even counting the turnovers James had in the fourth quarter and the super ugly possessions down the stretch. He was throwing up 3-pointers for no reason, with the lead.
Harden finished with a triple double (33 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds), but had 9 turnovers in the game as well. Patrick Beverly ended with 20 points and Ryan Anderson hit 19 points off the bench. Besides Eric Gordon, no other Rockets starter was in double digits in points.
LaMarcus Aldridge had his moments and scored 18 points for the Spurs, while also pulling down 14 rebounds. Patty Mills contributed with 20 points of his own, and Danny Green dropping 16 points, including some clutch 3-pointers. The big story of the game for the Spurs at the end was Kawhi Leonard, though, who didn’t play in overtime at all. He tweaked his ankle down the stretch and Coach Popovich benched him to be safe. He finished the game with 22 points.
Hopefully for San Antonio, Leonard can suit up and get his ankle healed enough to play in Game 6.
Kawhi says he's playing Game 6
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) May 10, 2017
FINAL: SAS 110 | HOU 107