The Spurs may very well have played their worst half in 19 games in the Western Finals opener… and they still won. It didn’t even come down to a buzzer beater, and it didn’t take overtime, either. After turning the ball over 14 times in the first 24 minutes, the Spurs bounced back from a nine-point third quarter deficit to take game one on their home floor, 101-98. It really wasn’t all that close—the Thunder had been on the ropes for the final three or four minutes and a meaningless three at the buzzer split the margin in half.
From a Thunder perspective, it’s a discouraging loss. Tony Parker looked a bit out of sorts while Derek Fisher made six of eight shots. Tim Duncan needed 15 attempts to score 16 points, and three-point marksman Danny Green went 0-5 from long range. Very un-Spurs-like indeed, but thanks in large part to Manu Ginobili, who played his best game of the playoffs (26 points and 5 rebounds), the Spurs put up 39 points in the fourth quarter alone. Oklahoma City’s youth and athleticism seemed to have tripped up the veterans of San Antonio in the early going, but the Spurs’ total of two second-half giveaways speaks for their ability to adjust.
As the Lakers did in game two of the Western Semis, the Thunder have now dropped a winnable game. When the task at hand is to win four of seven, that’s killer; especially when the other team is better.
I don’t feel that Oklahoma City did anything to boggle San Antonio in game one. Yeah, their energy and athleticism led to some miscues, but the Spurs just seemed to lack rhythm for the better part of the first three quarters. Open shots didn’t go in, basic passes weren’t completed, and two of the big three were unable to get rolling. All of these oddities and the Thunder still can’t pull it off? I don’t think that bodes well for Bricktown.
Now, it wouldn’t be unfair to say the Thunder didn’t play their best game, either. Russell Westbrook was pretty awful (7-21, 17 points) and Kevin Durant failed to score a field goal in the final 17 minutes. James Harden made two of his seven shots after the game had already been decided, and Serge Ibaka was a non-factor. I think these problems are far more likely to carry over than San Antonio’s, though. Russell Westbrook is going to have another off night or two, and Kevin Durant will have to deal with Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson all series long. Serge Ibaka can’t guard Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili is a… well… more experienced, balding James Harden. San Antonio’s role players—guys like Gary Neal, Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, and Matt Bonner—will consistently outplay OKC’s collection of spare parts, and Gregg Popovich will continue to provide inspiration that goes above and beyond “we’ll be fine” (is it just me or does Scott Brooks say that sh!t during every interview?).
Let’s face it, folks: even if the Thunder had won last night they’d still be just a home loss away from relinquishing the advantage they would’ve earned. A blown opportunity will simply put them on the lake a day or two sooner.
Note: Stephen Jackson’s clutch three-pointer was probably my favorite moment of the 2012 playoffs thus far. This postseason hasn’t yet done much for me, but I can always get down with a dagger from Captain Jack.
Note #2: How f@cking fantastic was this Manu Ginobili ball fake?
