Resurgent Thunder aim to even series
Ibaka’s return in Game 3 lifted OKC into series
OKLAHOMA CITY — The return of power forward Serge Ibaka gave a boost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-97 late Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
The Spurs, however, still enjoy a 2-1 lead in the bestof-seven series.
Game 4 will be played tonight at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
The 24-year-old Ibaka, who was unable to play in the first two games of the series in San Antonio due to a calf injury, made a difference on Sunday night, quickly pouring in 10 points on four straight shots.
Ibaka also grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots, finishing with 15 points.
The Spurs, whostayed in the game thanks to the 20 points scored by guard Manu Ginobili in the first half, appeared tentative, with Tony Parker being a non-factor in the game.
Ginobili, who played 24 minutes, finished with 23 points, including six of nine shooting on three-pointers.
Tim Duncan, the Spurs’ ageless big man, scored 16 points and grabbed four rebounds.
San Antonio won the first two games by an average of 26 points but Ibaka’s return negated the Spurs’ inside advantage.
San Antonio players claim Sunday’s loss was more about their performance than Ibaka’s return and will certainly have the opportunity to show that is indeed the case with a better Game 4 effort.
“We understand that if we don’t bring our ‘A’ game, we don’t play our best game, we’re not going to win here,” Ginobili told reporters prior to Monday’s practice. “Hopefully that lessonwas learned.”
Ginobili led the Spurs with 23 points and six 3-pointers in Game 3 and is averaging 17.3 points on 17-of-29 shooting — including 10-of-15 from 3-point range— in the series.
Parker had a subpar Game 3 with just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting and expressed duringMonday’s media availability session that he must perform significantly better.
The veteran point guard also had the same number of assists as turnovers — four — after averaging 18 points, 8.5 assists and 2.5 turnovers in the first two games.
“He’s our best player,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s got to play better.”
Backcourt mate Danny Green also had a poor outing with eight points on 3-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-6 from 3-point range.
Green averaged 18.5 points on 13-of-18 shooting (11-of-15 from behind the arc) in the first two games.
Asfor theThunder, MVP Kevin Durant is averaging just 22.7 points after putting up 33.2 in Oklahoma City’s six-game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round.
Ibaka was the missing link to a frontcourt that struggled without him in the first two games.
Veteran Nick Collison and rookie Steven Adams were nonfactors while filling in and Ibaka excelled on the offensive end in Game 3 with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting while doing his customary good work on the defensive end with four blocked shots to go with seven rebounds.
“When you talk about a teammate, that’s everything you want in a teammate,” Durant told reporters in response to Ibaka’s unexpected return.
“I gained so much more respect for Serge for sacrificing himself for the team.”
Oklahoma City is 5-0 against the Spurs this season with Ibaka inthe lineup and 0-2 when he isn’t.
Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15 points, five assists in Game 3) will again start in place ofThaboSefolosha, whodidn’t play a single minute in Sunday’s convincing victory and is 0-for-9 shooting in the series.