While Oklahoma City knows it must play better, Durant is also aware San Antonio has too much respect for the Thunder to coast in Game 2.
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Maybe the San Antonio Spurs’ 124-92 rout did more than put the Thunder in a bad mood and a 1-0 hole in the Western Conference semifinals. They were led by Aldridge’s 38 points (on 18-of-23 shooting) and six boards, and Leonard’s 25 points (10/13 FG), five rebounds and five assists, as well as some lockdown defence on both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Patty Mills was off target, but it did not matter as his red hot San Antonio Spurs teammates buried the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of their NBA Western Conference semi-finals.
Parker took advantage, handing out 12 assists with only one turnover as the Spurs came within eight points of matching the franchise’s highest postseason production.
San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge goes up for a shot against Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks during their first round playoff matchup.
The Spurs create their own set of problems for the Thunder.
If the Thunder is looking for some encouragement, maybe they can find it in the Los Angeles Clippers, who came to San Antonio for Game 3 of a West playoff last season and got trounced 100-73. Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter, and Randy Foye must be able to take those shots they’re expected to be provided with as the defense will focus on the two superstars. Thus, the thinking went, the Spurs would make tweaks, sure, but they wouldn’t make massive upgrades, right?
IRVING, Texas (AP) – The Dallas Cowboys finally addressed their pass rush early in the fourth round of the National Football League draft, taking Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper with the 101st overall pick Saturday.
I, for one, am kind of glad I can watch this series from a bit of a detached perspective, without any deeply invested rooting interest – this should be an exciting series and I’m ready to just enjoy the ride. Diaw has the potential to top those averages against the Thunder and we like him as the best value for this spot at under $3K.
San Antonio shot 60% from three, in addition to the Thunder fouling three-point shooters on four different occasions. According to ESPN Stats & Info, this marked the first time a Popovich-coached Spurs team had two players with 20 points in the first half of any game – playoff or regular season. LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan have shared the spoils in terms of rebounds, being their side’s highest rebounder on two occasions a piece.
“You’ve got to play both ends of the floor a little differently because he’s an All-Star player”, Durant said per ESPN. Even if he decides to stay, a bench role could be his and the teams best option moving forward and that would mean the front office would need to add a center over the summer.
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Going against Westbrook (and sometimes Durant) Green will have plenty of chances to contest shots in this series. Parker is the key to success for the Spurs against the Thunder. “We’ve just got to have second and third efforts”. No insane emotions. It’s not like we’re upset, screaming at each other in the locker room after the game. That’s not going to make things better.
