Western Conference Playoffs Game 4: SAN ANTONIO SPURS 103 @ #2 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 109. Series is tied, 2-2
The Spurs got off to a quick 13-5 start. Then they couldn't stop OKC's offense. An unlikely player, Kendrick Perkins,... >=(... scored 9 early points. The Spurs and Thunder were deadlocked at 26 after one.
Then someone from the Thunder caught on fire. It wasn't Kevin Durant and it wasn't Russell Westbrook. It was Serge Ibaka. He didn't miss a field goal in 5 tries and scored 12 points in the second quarter alone. The Thunder led at the half, 55-43.
The Serge Ibaka show continued as he kept firing and never missed from the field. In the meantime, the Spurs caught on fire as well as they erased a 15-point third quarter lead. DeJuan Blair gave them a nice boost when he came in and three-pointers by Manu Ginobili and Stephen Jackson cut the lead all the way down to two.
It was 86-82, Oklahoma City when Durant woke up and did this...
Kevin Durant made seven of his next eight field goals and scored the next SIXTEEN POINTS for the Thunder. Whatever he put up basically went in. It was quite the takeover by Durant. When they did deny Durant of the ball, James Harden made a three to put them up nine to clinch the game and tie the series at 2 apiece.
Durant ended up with 36 points. He scored half that total in the fourth quarter. Serge Ibaka was Mr. Perfect; he made ALL 11 of his shots for 26 points. Kendrick Perkins... >=(... ended up with 15 points and 9 boards. Westbrook had a quiet 7 points.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 21 points while rookie Kawhi Leonard had a very good game with 17 points.
The Spurs looked baffled. Parker's looks in the paint weren't as open (definitely helped that Thabo Sefolosha is guarding him). Guys like Danny Green aren't making their shots. And then they couldn't stop the OKC pick-and-rolls. Throw in the supernova games of Durant and Ibaka PLUS an unexpected offensive boost from Perkins and we got ourselves a series.
This series is definitely going back to Oklahoma City. Tomorrow, we'll see what Boston has against Miami.
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