Call it a passing of the torch.
The young and hungry Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 63-48 halftime deficit to shock the veteran San Antonio Spurs, 107-99 on the Thunder's home-court, putting them through to the NBA Finals, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).
The Thunder trailed the series 0-2, with the Spurs riding a 20-game win streak, but their resolve never wavered, pulling off a four game sweep to ride into the Finals with home-court advantage in tow.
Oklahoma City opened the third quarter on a 12-5 run that got them to within five points, 67-62, on a Kevin Durant triple, 7:11 left in the period. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili pushed their advantage back to nine, 71-62, but the Thunder countered with a 17-6 blast, with Durant draining yet another triple, to take the lead, 79-77.
Charities by Stephen Jackson and a score by Tony Parker allowed the Spurs to take a slim 81-80 lead entering the fourth, which they extended to 83-80 after Ginobili drew first blood in the final period. But the tight OKC defense held the Spurs without another field goal until the 5:26 mark of the quarter, getting a Tim Duncan hook shot to San Antonio to within two, 91-89.
Back-to-back triples by Derek Fisher and James Harden dug San Antonio a six-point hole, 99-93, 3:13 left to play, but the Spurs gamely pressed on, chipping it to two-points multiple times.
With under a minute left though, a dunk by Kendrik Perkins restored the advantage to six, and James Harden nailed clinching free throws shortly after, to seal the Thunder win.
Kevin Durant, who played the entire game, tallied a game-best 34 points, along with 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks.
Teammate Russell Westbrook added 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while James Harden chimed in 16 markers, five boards and four dimes more.
Tony Parker finished with 29 for the Spurs, but his spectacular play in the first half seemingly vanished down the stretch. Tim Duncan posted a 25-11 performance, while Stephen Jackson came off the bench to provide 23 points, missing just one of his seven triple attempts.
The Thunder now await the winner of the Boston Celtics - Miami Heat series over in the Eastern Conference Finals. -
Source: GMA News
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