If the Thunder fall in this series, they can place the blame on their inability to execute in late game situations. The Spurs regained control of the series with a thrilling win in Game 3 and can deliver a potential knock-out blow to OKC with another road win on Sunday.
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LETDOWN
Oklahoma City has two of the most dynamic players in the NBA in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, along with a sold supporting cast that propelled the Thunder to 55 regular season wins and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. But, unfortunately, their identity may be a team that can’t close the deal.
Late-game execution has been a problem for OKC the entire season. It was the main reason the Thunder were a league leader in games lost after leading in the fourth quarter. The problem reared its ugly head once again in the final minutes of Friday’s Game 3 loss to San Antonio. Turnovers, defensive lapses and poor offensive execution highlighted another ugly collapse. OKC was not immune from the problems in Game 2, but managed to overcome those issues to claim a victory in a ragged last 30 seconds.
INJURIES
Both teams were relatively healthy entering Friday’s contest, thanks to a three-day break between Games 2 and 3. There is no such break upcoming with the next three games played with just one day off in between. That schedule could benefit OKC, but only if the Thunder are able to extend the series.
KEY MATCHUP
Following LaMarcus Aldridge’s brilliant 41-point Game 2, Oklahoma City guard Dion Waiters proclaimed, “One man can’t beat you.” So the Spurs responded with a three-pronged attack that featured Aldridge going for 24 points. However, it was Kawhi Leonard who had a bounce-back effort on Friday, scoring a team-high 31 points to complement Aldridge and Tony Parker, who chipped in with 19.
Leonard was more passive than usual in Game 2, partly because of the aggressive defense from Waiters and the fact that Aldridge was on fire. Leonard came to play on Friday, scoring 11 first quarter points then controlled the game in every facet thereafter. He hit 9 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 4 three-pointers, and 10 of 14 free throws. Leonard hauled down 11 boards while alternating between the difficult defensive assignment of Durant and Westbrook. And every time the Thunder got close, Leonard responded with a big play.
QUICK PICK
With a chance to really put the Spurs in a pickle, the Thunder gave another one away with some questionable decisions from the players who are entrusted with making OKC a challenger in the West. And after an uncharacteristic performance in Monday’s Game 2, the Spurs made the plays down the stretch to regain homecourt advantage. Much like we said Game 2 was a must-win for the Thunder, Game 4 is even more of a must-win. Going down 3-1 with the series headed back to San Antonio certainly puts OKC’s chances below slim.
The final stat line from Westbrook looked nice – 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists – but his struggles at the end of the game are exactly what the Thunder don’t need. He hit just 10 of 31 shots and failed to get his teammates involved down the stretch. OKC becomes too reliant on Durant and Westbrook at the end of games and the Spurs know how to attack that set up. With a chance to put the Thunder in a deep hole, San Antonio doesn’t let it slip away.
NBA Odds: San Antonio 101, Oklahoma City 95
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