Oklahoma City thump San Antonio Spurs 108-96 to make it three wins in three nights - NBA Recap
Oklahoma City Thunder did not have to work hard to become the first team in the compressed season to win three games in three nights. All they required were two solid performances from their star Kevin Durant and James Harden to
shut down the injury plagued San Antonio Spurs.
OKC have been phenomenal so far and it’s just fitting they reached the landmark before the powerhouses like Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls or the reigning champions Dallas Mavericks.
Durant missed his first triple double on the night and finished with 21 points, 10 boards and 7 assists while Harden pounded 20 points on 6 for 9 from the charity stripe. Guard Russell Westbrook had 13 points while Nick Collison
completed his first double-double at the big stage by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds.
"I knew our guys were going to compete and they were going to give everything they had for the three games. You were hoping that you could win them all," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. Fortunately for us, we did."
OKC were hot from the floor (38-75) and were accurate from the free throw line as well, netting 25 for 29 from the stripe.
Gary Neal led the Spurs with 18 points on 7 for 12 from the floor while Richard Jefferson and Kawhi Leonard accumulated 13 points apiece. Tim Duncan had 11 points and 7 rebounds while Tiago Splitter sealed 10 points. Although Manu
Ginobili and Tony Parker’s absence did play a key role in the loss, Neal admitted it was more because of the crucial turnovers they committed during the game that hurt them in the end.
"I just think a couple turnovers here, and their athletes were able to get out and run the lane, and the score ballooned on us," Neal said.
Spurs were in the game by the end of the first half, only behind by 6 points 54-48, however Thunder outscored them in the third frame 37-21, courtesy of two fierce runs -11-4 at the start of the frame and with the scores at 71-61
a 20-8 run right at the end - to turn the game completely in their favour.
Spurs coach Greg Popovich summed up the game-turning quarter very candidly post game;
"They played very well and they kicked our butts in the third quarter. They did a great job."
Trailing by 69-91, the Spurs needed to attack right from the start of the deciding frame to keep themselves in the hunt, however they failed to and despite a 15-4 run in the garbage time, they still fell short by 12 points.
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