Last night was Game 2 of the Thunder/Spurs Western Conference Semifinal series, and anyone that watched it was witness to one of the wildest, most freaky finishes in recent playoff memory.
Advertisement
Ultimately, Durant (28 points, seven rebounds and four assists) and Westbrook (29 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds) were simply too much for the Spurs as the Thunder managed to continue executing just enough during key moments, which has been a concern in the past for Oklahoma City.
The league determined that the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard and Patty Mills grabbed and held Thunder players, affecting their movement and ability to get open to catch the inbound pass.
The San Antonio Spurs dominated Game 1 of the series against the Thunder.
But the immediate aftermath of Oklahoma City’s win was clouded in controversy, as many observers were stunned Thunder guard Dion Waiters was not called for an offensive foul on the game’s final inbounds play. A Durant floater gave the Spurs a five-point lead with 33.2 seconds left, but an Aldridge three made with 25.8 seconds left made it interesting. In the game’s final minute, he made a rare 3-pointer and also sank three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.
The Thunder won Game 2 98-97, to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Adams finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds while shooting 5-for-6 from the field.
“Been there before. It’s one game”, Westbrook said of his team’s 32-point loss on Saturday. That should have been called an offensive foul, and possession of the ball would have changed to the Spurs. Aldridge finished with 41 points and 8 rebounds on a ideal 10-10 from the free throw line. We inbounded the ball and they stole it. …
What Cuban really wanted to know after the game was what the referees had to say about the whole fiasco at the end of Game 2 between OKC and the Spurs. But replays also showed that Ginobili was over the line while pressuring Waiters-a technical foul. Top Sports Blog thinks the win by the Thunder on the road is a huge momentum boost, but the Spurs will get their game back in a hostile environment and pull off a win.
The Thunder were forced to endure a nervous finish as the Spurs fought back to within one point in the closing seconds.
Germany’s Dennis Schroder topped the Hawks with a play-off career-high 27, including five triples.
Advertisement
Game 2 is Wednesday night.
