2012 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game #6
#1 San Antonio Spurs at #2 Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder leads best of seven series 3-2
Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Oklahoma City -4 1/2
Current Line: Oklahoma City -4 1/2
Opening Total: 202
Current Total: 202
Opening Money Line: Thunder -215 / Spurs +185
Current Money Line: Thunder -210 / Spurs +180
Until Monday night, the h0me team had won every game of the Western Conference Finals series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, that changed when the young Thunder went into San Antonio and grabbed a hard-fought 108-103 win to seize control of the series. The Thunder now leads the series 3-2 with game 6 tonight in Oklahoma City, where they are 7-0 in the playoffs.
The San Antonio Spurs, coached by Gregg Popovich, were on a 20 game winning streak, including the first 10 games during the playoffs. After sweeping the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, and winning the first two games against the Thunder at home 101-98 and 120-111, many thought the Spurs looked untouchable. However, since then Oklahoma City has won 3 in a row.
The Thunder, coached by Scott Brooks, swept the defending champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round, and beat the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games to get here. Many thought they were still too young to win an NBA title as their top 4 players are all 23 or younger. That appeared to be the case after the first two games, but the Thunder routed the Spurs in game 3 102-82 and held on for a 109-103 victory in game 4 to tie up the series.
In game 5 Monday night, The Thunder jumped out to a 52-44 halftime lead. They led by as many as 13 points in the fourth, before San Antonio clawed back. OKC led by 2 with 28.8 seconds left when James Harden drained an off balance 3 pointer that extended the lead to 5. Spurs guard Manu Ginobli missed a 3 with 4.9 seconds left that would have tied it up, and the Thunder held on for the stunning 108-103 win. It was the first loss at home since April 11th for the Spurs, and left them on the brink of elimination.
The Thunder shot 50% from the field including 8-21 from 3 point range. OKC made 20 of 23 free throws. The Thunder had 34 rebounds, 22 assists, and 16 turnovers. OKC had 13 fast break points, and 30 points in the paint.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points on 10-19 shooting from the field for the Thunder. He made 2 of 6 three pointers and 5 of 6 free throws. Durant also added 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and a block. Russell Westbrook had 23 points on 9-24 shooting. He made all 5 of his free throws. Although he has struggled to shoot well in the series, he has contributed in other ways. Monday night he had 12 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. James Harden had 20 points on 6-11 shooting including 3 of 4 three point shots. Harden made 5 of his 6 free throws. Harden also added 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
No other Thunder player scored more than 9 points, but all 9 players who came in the game scored at least 4 for the Thunder. Forward Serge Ibaka had 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, after he had a huge scoring game in game 4. Daequan Cook had 8 points off the bench including two 3 pointers. Thabo Sefolosha, Derek Fisher, Nick Collison, and Knedrick Perkins all scored for the Thunder. Sefolosha has guarded Tony Parker for the last 3 games and held him in check for the most part. Perkins had 10 rebounds for OKC in game 4.
The Spurs shot 45.9% from the field, including 9-24 from 3 point range. San Antonio made 26 of 31 free throws. The Spurs had 42 rebounds, 23 assists, and 21 turnovers. They had 15 fast break points and 38 points in the paint.
Popovich returned Ginobli to the starting line-up in place of Danny Green. Ginobli had a monster game with 34 points on 11-21 shooting, including 5-10 from 3 point range. He made 7 of 8 free throws, and also added 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Parker had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. He was 5-14 shooting from the field including 0-1 from 3 point range. He made 10 of 12 free throws. If the Spurs are to avoid elimination, then Parker must play more like did in the first two games of the series. Tim Duncan scored 18 points on 7-10 shooting. He mad 4 of 5 free throws. Duncan also added 12 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block. Guard Stephen Jackson added 13 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. The rest of the Spurs combined for 18 points. Forward Kawhi Leonard did have 10 rebounds though.
Oklahoma City is 9-4-1 ATS in the playoffs, and the total is 10-4. San Antonio is 7-6 ATS and the total is 5-8 this post-season. The Spurs are 8-6 ATS in the last 14 games between the teams. The Thunder are 4-1 in the last 5 against the Spurs. Seven of the last nine meetings have gone over the total.
The Spurs are 14-4-1 ATS after failing to cover, 7-1-1 in Wednesday games, 8-3 after a straight up loss, 18-6-3 after scoring 100 points or more, 21-7-1 on one day rest, 40-15-4 overall, 14-7-2 after allowing 100 points or more, 33-17-2 against Western conference teams, 1-5 against teams with winning records, as a road underdog of 4.5 points or less, and against Northwest teams, 1-6 in conference finals, 1-4 as a road underdog, and in road games against teams with winning home records, and 3-13 as a playoff underdog of 4.5 points or less.
The Thunder are 5-0 ATS after scoring 100 points or more, 4-0-1 after a straight up win, 6-1-1 against teams with winning records, overall, and against Western Conference teams, 6-1 against Southwest Division teams, 5-1 in Conference Final games, 4-1-1 on one day rest, 6-2 after a cover, 2-6 after allowing 100 points or more, 4-0 as a favorite, as a playoff favorite, as a playoff favorite of 4.5 points or less, 4-1 as a home favorite, and at home against teams with winning road records, 18-6 as a favorite of 4.5 points or less, and 1-4 in Wednesday games.
After the first two games, Scott Brooks realized his Thunder couldn’t beat the Spurs by OKC’s preferred run and gun style. He knew the Thunder had to win by passing the ball. During the regular season, the Thunder were last in assists and led the league in turnovers. In the last 3 games of the series, that has reversed. The Thunder have also clamped down on defense, especially against Parker. San Antonio is a veteran team that is certainly capable of winning on the road. However, for that to happen they need more from Parker. I think the thunder win tonight but it certainly won’t be easy. OKC wins to become the first Western Conference Champion not named the Spurs, Mavericks, or Lakers since the Jazz in 1998.
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