Ibaka and Adams have had the main assignment on Aldridge, with the Thunder doubling sporadically in Game 2.
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The game’s chaotic finish overshadowed the performances of Oklahoma City’s two superstars, Jordan Brand-sponsored Russell Westbrook and Nike-sponsored Kevin Durant.
The final sequence was so wild that some San Antonio players couldn’t pinpoint which part of the final 13.5 seconds was the cause of the most controversy. This close out affected Mills’ shot, eliminating the Spurs from the game.
“It feels frightful”, Aldridge said about his heavy scoring night where he scored 13 points in the final quarter, including a pair of three-point plays during that stretch.
There were also other questions on the controversial inbounds play. With an official looking right at the play, Waiters gave Ginobili a shove. Replays showed Waiters elbowed Manu Ginobili to get the space needed to pass the ball to Durant, who was immediately stripped by Danny Green. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 107.1 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 98.6 points on 45.9 percent shooting.
After the game, though, all the talk was about that Waiters push-off.
The Spurs’ demanded an offensive foul, but there was no call and Waiters tossed the ball in the centre of the court to Durant who lost it.
“On the floor, we did not see a foul on the play”, Mauer said.
– Spurs guard Patty Mills should’ve been called for a personal foul for holding Thunder big man Steven Adams on the inbound. The rest of this play does not matter, it was an offensive foul.
Here are each of the missed calls as highlighted by ESPN.
My question is why are fans not mad at the Spurs for their lack of execution during a three on one with time running out.
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Prior to the admission of the National Basketball Association, the officials had already admitted a foul should have been called on Waiters. “I just know we were able to come out on top”. However, neither was, as the referees acknowledged after the game. The no call on Waiters resulted in a better chance for a Spurs victory and they did not execute when it mattered most. It’s the third game this postseason in which they accounted for at least 75 points (Games 3 and 5 versus the Dallas Mavericks).
