The Thunder advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a win in Game 6 against the Spurs
After the Oklahoma City Thunder somehow squeaked by with a win on the road in Game 5 against the favored San Antonio Spurs, they knew that they had somewhat of an advantage heading into Game 6 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC on Thursday night with a win giving them the series. They knew it and, right from the opening tip-off, they came out playing like they were ready to do something about it.
The home team in the Thunder jumped out to an early lead against the Spurs, going ahead by six points. However, Kevin Durant and especially Russell Westbrook caught fire offensively while those two and the likes of Steven Adams locked it down defensively. As such, San Antonio went cold with the ball in their hands and OKC pulled out to a massive 24-point lead going into halftime.
Still rolling, the Thunder only increased that lead coming out of the locker room for the second half. They even got a big lift from a highly unlikely place in guard Andre Roberson, a player not known for his offense at all, as he was knocking down a bevy of shots from the perimeter.
Never going to be denied with Gregg Popovich on the sidelines and Tim Duncan still on the floor, Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs kept fighting and actually broke the 20-point deficit and almost cut it to single digits. However, a missed free throw and empty possession off of a flagrant-1 and then a big blocked shot by OKC ultimately thwarted the Spurs comeback. Westbrook and Durant then helped close it out and that was all she wrote, the Thunder advancing past the Spurs with a 4-2 series win.
Three Stars
Kevin Durant, Thunder – 37 points, nine rebounds, two assists
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs – 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals
Russell Westbrook, Thunder – 28 points, 12 assists, tree rebounds, two steals
Highlights
"Westbrook gets to the rim on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/uooaF0MyJK— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Duncan starts out 3 for 3 on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/rxbFJ7nKnw— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Durant on the break on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/ff75OcYecb— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Westbrook finds Adams for the finish on ESPN. #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/kpZ2Xp2bhA— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Parker with the jumper on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/xYSIBZPvFp— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
".@okcthunder lead extended to 18 by Westbrook on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/HpUSrbbrVG— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Durant finds Ibaka on the break for the dunk on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/2yUzE3qcDL— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Kawhi battling on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/eUihKUu6EC— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
"Dre 3! 14 for him. #ThunderBasketball https://t.co/RlQMItKY7x— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 13, 2016"
"Duncan has 19, @spurs cut the lead to 13 on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay #SPURSvTHUNDER https://t.co/eYJgjtDZaI— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
".@okcthunder trying to hold off the @spurs with 3:06 left to play on ESPN! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/opXtJBztiU— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2016"
Next Game
The Thunder will move on to the Western Conference Finals now where they will face the Golden State Warriors after defeating the Spurs in this series.
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