 Spurs guard Tony Parker and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook reach for the ball during Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference final at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., May 31, 2012. (JIM YOUNG/Reuters) |
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Spurs had not lost a game since early April. The Thunder had not lost at home in these playoffs. Something had to give on Thursday and, in the end, it was San Antonio.
Kevin Durant scored 22 points, Thabo Sefolosha had 19 and the Thunder rolled to a 102-82 victory in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference final.
The Spurs suffered their first defeat since April 11, ending a stretch of 20 straight wins. The run included 10 victories in this postseason, including triumphs in the first two games of this series.
But the Thunder jumped out to an 8-0 lead on Thursday and led by as many as 27 to improve to 6-0 at home in the postseason. They racked up 18 fastbreak points and got a strong effort from their supporting cast. Sefolosha had six steals and scored 16 of his points in the second half. Serge Ibaka finished with 14 points and three blocks and James Harden scored 15.
Tony Parker and Stephen Jackson had 16 points apiece to pace San Antonio, which shot just 39.5 percent and committed 21 turnovers, leading to 20 Thunder points.
Game 4 of the series is set for Saturday in Oklahoma City.
|