In Game 4, the Thunder have an opportunity to tie things up before the series heads back to San Antonio. The Spurs, meanwhile, are looking to respond to their defeat by putting forth an effort worth marveling over. Chances are, they will.
James Harden with five consecutive points, including a huge three that drew plenty of contact. 2-2 may be a reality.
Fourth Quarter, 9:08 remaining, San Antonio Spurs 76 - 84 Oklahoma City Thunder
Serge Ibaka is a perfect 9-of-9 from the floor, thus tallying 22 points. He's also a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.
Note: Serge Ibaka has been shooting all jump shots and just two dunks.
And it continues. Serge Ibaka with a pocket J.
What a block! Serge Ibaka with a transition block on a dunk by DeJuan Blair!
This quarter ends on a high-note for the San Antonio Spurs. Oklahoma City remains in the lead, but Manu Ginobili is heating up and that's bad news for the Thunder. They've had an answer for everyone but Ginobili.
End of the Third Quarter: San Antonio Spurs 71 - 75 Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs Leaders
Points: 14 - Tim Duncan
Rebounds: 8 - Tim Duncan
Assists: 4 - Boris Diaw & Tony Parker
Blocks: 1 - DeJuan Blair & Tim Duncan
Steals: 1 - Four Tied
Oklahoma City Thunder Leaders
Points: 22 - Serge Ibaka
Rebounds: 8 - Kendrick Perkins
Assists: 6 - Kevin Durant
Blocks: 3 - Serge Ibaka
Steals: 2 - Nick Collison
What a run by the San Antonio Spurs! With Serge Ibaka out, the Spurs made a huge run led by Manu Ginobili and are now within two points of the lead! Guess it was too soon to write them off...
Big foul on Stephen Jackson, though. That's four on Jackson, who has hit a handful of big shots.
Third Quarter, 58.3 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 71 - 75 Oklahoma City Thunder
This isn't Game 3. The Thunder have not blown the Spurs out of the water. They've done something even more impressive.
In a game in which both teams are trading blows, the Thunder are controlling the San Antonio Spurs. Much of the credit is due to Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins playing such impressive offense. Every time the Spurs strike it's one of those two who strike back.
Third Quarter, 2:48 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 63 - 73 Oklahoma City Thunder
On offense, the Oklahoma City Thunder are making shots and drawing fouls. On defense, the Oklahoma City Thunder are closing out on double-teams and forcing turnovers.
Serge Ibaka with another jump shot. What happened to him and Rondo to make this happen?
Boris Diaw and Tim Duncan are doing all they can to keep the Spurs in this one. The Thunder have a counter-punch for every attack, though, and this game is getting to be a one-sided affair.
Third Quarter, 7:31 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 53 - 63 Oklahoma City Thunder
Serge Ibaka with a huge slam dunk! Drives across the lane and throws it down flush. 7-of-7 for 16 points tonight for Ibaka!
The second half has been kind to the San Antonio Spurs early on, with a quick four points setting the pace. Kevin Durant wastes no time in answering, though. 3-of-5 for 10 points for KD35.
Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka were phenomenal in the first half, combining for 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, didn't hit his first field goal until 2:08 remaining in the first half. Exceptional team basketball.
Kawhi Leonard ended the half on a high note for the Spurs, knocking down a three as time expires. Unfortunately, the shot was waved off.
San Antonio is reeling but keeping things close. OKC is in full control of Game 4.
End of the Second Quarter: San Antonio Spurs 43 - 55 Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs Leaders
Points: 9 - Tim Duncan
Rebounds: 7 - Tim Duncan
Assists: 2 - Boris Diaw & Tony Parker
Blocks: 1 - Tim Duncan
Steals: 1 - Boris Diaw & Manu Ginobili
Oklahoma City Thunder Leaders
Points: 14 - Serge Ibaka
Rebounds: 8 - Kendrick Perkins
Assists: 4 - Kevin Durant
Blocks: 1 - Kevin Durant & Serge Ibaka
Steals: 2 - Nick Collison
Serge Ibaka gets away with a blatant goaltending there. Spurs come back by giving Tim Duncan the ball down low and allowing him to draw contact and hit the line for two.
Second Quarter, 1:02 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 43 - 51 Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant just hit his first field goal with 2:08 remaining in the second quarter. Yet the Thunder are up 7.
Evolution of a potential dynasty? Let's see how San Antonio reacts.
Second Quarter, 1:35 remaining: Oklahoma City Thunder 49 - 42 San Antonio Spurs
This game has proven what every analyst has said all along: if Oklahoma City adds a consistent interior scoring presence, they will be unstoppable.
Serge Ibaka with yet another perimeter jump shot. This team is firing on all cylinders.
Second Quarter, 3:23 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 38 - 47 Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook's improvements in the postseason have been tremendous. His turnovers are way down, his shooting is much more consistent and every move he's made has been well-calculated. Westbrook is becoming a star.
Stephen Jackson is keeping the Spurs in this thing.
Second Quarter, 3:50 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 38 - 45 Oklahoma City Thunder
Serge Ibaka has been active on the offensive end, knocking down all four of his shots. His latest score came on a monster slam that has this crowd on fire.
Sorry, James Harden, but the Oklahoma City Sixth Man is their crowd.
Second Quarter, 5:39 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 31 - Oklahoma City Thunder 38
Thabo Sefolosha has shown no signs of slowing down after a brilliant Game 3, coming up with a big slam! Paired with big buckets from James Harden, the Oklahoma City Thunder have pulled out to a solid lead.
Second Quarter, 8:40 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 31 - 36 Oklahoma City Thunder
Manu Ginobili goes with his weak hand and puts in a beautiful right handed floater to open the quarter. Oklahoma City responds with a deep jump shot from Serge Ibaka.
This was a quarter of runs, as the San Antonio Spurs got off to a hot start and the Oklahoma City Thunder responded with a spurt of their own. The Spurs have a balanced attack as seven players have scored and five have at least four points.
Kendrick Perkins leads all scorers with 9 points and 6 rebounds. Yes, Kendrick Perkins.
End of the First Quarter: San Antonio Spurs 22 - 24 Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs Leaders
Points: 5 - Kawhi Leonard
Rebounds: 4 - Tim Duncan
Assists: 2 - Boris Diaw
Blocks: 1 - Kawhi Leonard & Tim Duncan
Steals: 1 - Boris Diaw & Manu Ginobili
Oklahoma City Thunder Leaders
Points: 9 - Kendrick Perkins
Rebounds: 6 - Kendrick Perkins
Assists: 2 - Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook
Blocks: 1 - Kevin Durant
Steals: 2 - Nick Collison
Oklahoma City continues their thunderous (yes I went there) 10-0 run and take a 22-19 lead. Stephen Jackson answers with a three-point play to tie the game up, but OKC has clearly re-gained control of this thing.
Derek Fisher or Stephen Jackson? Who was the mid-season acquisition? Hit the comments section and let us know!
First Quarter, 1:16 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 22 - 24 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are beginning to roll, as Russell Westbrook finds Kendrick Perkins for the transition slam. All-out effort from both sides tonight. This is shaping up to be a classic!
First Quarter, 3:39 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 19 - 16 Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook with the beautiful step-back three. When he is on his game, this Thunder team is very difficult to beat.
Same can be said for Tim Duncan, who hits a beautiful hook shot off the glass. Vintage Timmy.
First Quarter, 4:35 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 17 - 12 Oklahoma City Thunder
Thabo Sefolosha talks trash in French and tonight, Tony Parker will understand every word. Who will win this battle, though? Sefolosha hit a three-pointer to answer Parker's early brilliance.
Hit the comments section and let us know!
First Quarter, 6:47 remaining: San Antonio Spurs 13 - 5 Oklahoma City Thunder
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