Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
The Serge Ibaka effect continued in Oklahoma City Tuesday night, as the Thunder kept the momentum going for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals and sent the series back to San Antonio tied 2-2, after defeating the Spurs 105-92. Oh, and Russell Westbrook; he only dropped 40 points, 10 assists, had 5 steals and played possibly his best game of the year. The boy was balling.
It was all Spurs to start the first quarter, though. The Thunder looked like they were in trouble, especially after Reggie Jackson rolled his ankle. But then OKC turned it all the way up with help from their bench and ended the quarter on a 13-2 run.
That Westbrook block against Patty Mills set the tone for the rest of the game.
Aside from Westbrook putting up career numbers, Kevin Durant also had a hell of a night, ending the game with 31 points and 5 assists. There was no other Thunder that had double figures, but Serge Ibaka helped deter shots down low and snagged 3 blocks for the night, but pulled down 8 rebounds for OKC.
This Thunder win marks the 9th consecutive against San Antonio at home, going all the way back to 2012. They also dominated 21-0 in fastbreak points and managed to record a post-season low in turnovers. Durant and Westbrook had 30 points and ZERO turnovers in one half for the first time ever in a playoff game.
For the Spurs, Tony Parker and Boris Diaw led them in scoring with 14 points a piece, while Tim Duncan was dismal on the court, with only 9 points and 6 rebounds on the night. Cory Joseph provided a small spark off the bench with 11 points and possibly the best highlight of the night for San Antonio. His dunk over Ibaka.
He got lucky on this one, right Serge?
Game 5 in San Antonio is Thursday at 9pm EST on TNT.