Spurs roll to 2-0 lead with rout of Thunder
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, of France, drives around Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison, left, during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in San Antonio. AP
SAN ANTONIO—Tony Parker scored 22 points, and Danny Green made seven 3-pointers and added 21 as the San Antonio Spurs used a dominant third quarter to down the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 on Thursday (Manila time) and take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Tim Duncan added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili and Boris Diaw had 11 points apiece off the bench.
The Spurs conceded a 2-0 lead against the Thunder in the 2012 conference finals, but look ready to keep rolling right into the NBA Finals this time.
“We just did our job. We won our first two games at home and I’m sure they’re going to go back and say we have to do our job and win two games at home,” Parker said.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each had 15 points, but the third-quarter barrage made spectators of both — not that they accomplished much when they did play. The star duo combined to shoot 13 for 40, including 4 for 14 in the third quarter.
Game 3 is Monday (Manila time) at Oklahoma City.
Playing without Serge Ibaka and given two days to adjust to dropping Game 1 by 17 points, the Thunder performed worse.
Parker and Green each had eight points in the third quarter as San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City 33-18 in the period.
It was a shocking turn for the Thunder, who started well.
“It definitely doesn’t feel good and it shouldn’t,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “I hope our locker doesn’t feel good. You shouldn’t feel good. We got our butts kicked. But we have a good opportunity to come back and win Game 3.”
Oklahoma City opened more aggressive on both ends, especially defensively. The physicality disrupted the Spurs early and frustrated them emotionally.
Duncan was issued a technical with about 5 minutes left in the first quarter after complaining when Ed Malloy ruled he threw a hip into Durant.
The Thunder scored five straight to open the game, with Westbrook’s 3 capping the early run and producing what would become their largest lead of the series at 5-0.
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