Spurs dominate Thunder in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead to OKC
It's been a strange series, to say the least. After the San Antonio Spurs hammered the Oklahoma City Thunder twice at home, Serge Ibaka returned and lifted the Thunder to two wins at home to even things up.
On Thursday, back in San Antonio for Game 5, the Spurs answered once again, shellacking the Thunder 117-89 in the fifth consecutive game that has seen one team lead by at least 20 points.
The combined margin of victory in this series (102 points) is the largest through 5 games of a conference finals since 1985 LAL-DEN (105).
— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) May 30, 2014
An excellent series so far, yes, with both sides playing some superb and artful basketball. The individual games, however, have been anti-climactic, without a single possession played in "clutch" time (within five points in the final five minutes).
When Kevin Durant (25 points, 11-of-21 shooting, five rebounds) and Russell Westbrook (21 points, 6-of-12 shooting, seven assists) are merely "good" and Ibaka (six points, 3-of-10 shooting, two rebounds) is neutralized, there's not much of an answer.
Star Performer
Tim Duncan is getting old. As such, he wants to make sure he can get to bed at a decent time and get his rest in. That's why he chose to dominate early, making sure there was little need for his services in the fourth quarter.
List of 38-year-olds who have had 22-point, 12-rebound playoff games: Kareem, Karl Malone, Robert Parish and Tim Duncan with a quarter to go
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 30, 2014
Duncan would finish with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting in 30 minutes, adding 12 rebounds, a pair of assists and a block. Can't stop. Won't stop.
Turning Point
The Spurs built their lead with a slow burn, winning both the second and third quarters by 10 points after an even first. There wasn't a turning point, then, so much as a realization of what their best look may be against the Thunder with Ibaka, something they couldn't figure out in Games 3 and 4.
The unlikely key may be Boris Diaw, who came in averaging a modest 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in the playoffs.
After starting Matt Bonner in place of an ineffective Tiago Splitter, coach Gregg Popovich soon tapped Diaw, even starting him in the second half. The result was 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and a +19 mark in 28 minutes for the internet's favorite portly baller.
Highlights
Let's start with Westbrook absolutely destroying the rim, because there may not be a better highlight from this series:
He wasn't done there, though, ending the first half with a huge 3-point heave:
The Spurs' highlights were a little power, a little more finesse, starting with Diaw:
[GIF Courtesy @_MarcusD_ via TNT]
Gee, wonder where he picked up moves like that...
And finally, one low-light...below-the-belt low, as Duncan took a Westbrook foot to the groin and let the referee know:
Quote of the Game
Let's be honest: a hip-thrust is worth a thousand words:
Stay being the greatest, Popovich.
Series at a Glance
Game 1: SAS 122, OKC 105 (Spurs lead series 1-0)
Game 2: SAS 112, OKC 77 (Spurs lead series 2-0)
Game 3: OKC 106 SAS 97 (Spurs lead series 2-1)
Game 4: OKC 105 SAS 92 - (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: SAS 117, OKC 89 (Spurs lead series 3-1)
Game 6: Saturday, May 31 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Monday, June 2 - 9:00 p.m. ET