Duncan leads rout with six Spurs stars finishing in double scoring points.
The San Antonio Spurs secured a vital win in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to regain the lead in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Veteran Tim Duncan conceded that this is “the craziest series I’ve ever been involved in” as the momentum swings back and forth with both teams securing comprehensive wins.
The Spurs were dominant in the first two encounters before the return of Serge Ibaka inspired the Thunder to respond, but back on the road in San Antonio they were unable to maintain their high level and were comfortably beaten.
Duncan had 22 points and 12 rebounds and helped the Spurs to a victory which now means they can close it out with a win on the road in Oklahoma City in Game 6 on Saturday.
“I have no clue, honestly,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of the disparity.
“I think every game, it’s a different animal. It really is. We talk to our team about that all the time. You have no clue what’s going to happen, how a team is going to come out, whether they’re going to be lethargic or hold the ball, get 50/50 balls or don’t get 50/50 balls.”
Kevin Durant scored 25 points while Russell Westbrook added just 21 points and seven assists after his big performance in Game 4 which essentially kept the Spurs at arm’s length throughout.
However, the Spurs returned to their style of play that enabled them to win the first two games and clinch the best regular season record in the league with six players finishing in double scoring figures.
Manu Ginobili had 19 points, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green added 14 points apiece while Boris Diaw scored 13 points for the hosts, who went 13-for-26 on 3-pointers and outrebounded the Thunder 48-35.
In addition, the Spurs were able to limit Oklahoma City to just four fast-break points after giving up 21 in Game 4, while Popovich brought in Matt Bonner for Thiago Splitter to draw Ibaka out of the paint and ultimately it worked on both ends of the court.
NBA Results:
Oklahoma City Thunder 89-117 San Antonio Spurs
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