NBA: Danny Green explosion continues Spurs’ dominance over Thunder

SAN ANTONIO - They come at opponents in waves, future Hall of Famers and adept role players comprising the NBA's deepest roster.

Guard Tony Parker, one of the stars, scored 22 points. Guard Danny Green, part of the supporting cast, made seven three-point baskets and scored 21. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 Wednesday night (Thursday, PHL time) to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were limited to 15 point apiece, converting just 13-of-40 shots between them. Their 30 points together were 26.6 fewer than they have averaged during the playoffs.

The Spurs, leading by 14 at halftime, outscored the Thunder 33-18 in the third quarter. They converted 12-of016 shots (75 percent) in the process.

Oklahoma City is playing without injured shot-blocking forward Serge Ibaka, who has a strained calf and will miss the rest of the playoffs, according to coach Scott Brooks.

The Spurs took advantage by scoring 54 points in the paint. They pummeled the Thunder with Green's three-point baskets. They outshot Oklahoma City 50 percent to 39.3 overall.

Forward Tim Duncan contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds. Center Tiago Splitter grabbed 10 rebounds and made three blocks.

San Antonio made an 11-2 push during the final 2:18 of the first half to take a 58-44 lead.

The Spurs made three three-point baskets during the run, two by Green, the other by Manu Ginobili.



Green hit four three-pointers in the half. On one, Ginobili made one of those passes that only he seems to make, flinging the ball from the left corner across the baseline to the right corner.

Ginobili's three-pointer came from 27 feet after he secured an offensive rebound.

Oklahoma City contributed to the strong finish by San Antonio by committing three turnovers during the final 1:31 of the half.

Parker produced 14 points and five assists in the half. Durant and Westbrook scored 11 each for Oklahoma City, but they combined to make just nine of 26 shots.

Oklahoma City had another issue - too much fouling. The Spurs hit 15-of-17 free throws in the first half. The Thunder made four of nine.  - Reuters



The scores:

SPURS 112 - Parker 22, Green 21, Duncan 14, Diaw 11, Ginobili 11, Splitter 9, Belinelli 8, Joseph 6, Leonard 4, Baynes 4, Ayres 2, Bonner 0, Mills 0

THUNDER 77 - Durant 15, Westbrook 15, Lamb 13, Butler 9, Adams 9, Jackson 8, Fisher 2, Jones 2, Perkins 2, Collison 2, Sefolosha 0, Roberson 0

San Antonio        24-34-33-21
Oklahoma City    26-18-18-15