Gregg Popovich | SAN ANTONIO SPURS TICKETS

Spurs could learn from Cardinals’ comeback

Column by Mike Monroe

Texans don’t have to look far to find evidence that even the most daunting deficit in a best-of-7 series can be overcome.

Take Game 6 of last year’s World Series.

The Rangers were one Game 6 out and one Neftali Feliz strike away from the first World Series championship in franchise history.

Leading 3-2 in the series, ahead 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth and with Feliz flinging high-90s fastballs at Cardinals third baseman David Freese, the Rangers had the champagne wheeled into their clubhouse.

Then, Freese smashed a 98-mph, two-strike fastball off the right field wall, driving in two runs to tie the score.

But just as the Thunder answered the Spurs’ third-quarter rally in Game 5, the Rangers responded with two more runs in the top of the 10th.

Then, New Braunfels native Lance Berkman, whose competitive spirit fits squarely into Gregg Popovich’s mold of what makes an ideal Spur, faced another two-out, two-strike situation with two runners on. He lined a two-run single to center, knotting the score a second time.

Freese’s walk-off home run in the 11th ended the most dramatic World Series game in years.

There’s one big difference between baseball and basketball, and it’s what turned Yogi Berra’s “It ain’t over until it’s over” from malaprop to logical genius: There’s no clock in baseball. That means a nine-inning game isn’t over until the 27th out is secured, however long that takes.

It was the late Express-News columnist Dan Cook who first told us “It’s not over until the fat lady sings.” Bullets coach Dick Motta co-opted the folksy aphorism when the Spurs took a 3-1 lead in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals. His team won three in a row to crush hearts all over Bexar County.

Popovich doesn’t do folksy, but if he wants to remind his players what is possible in the darkest situations, he might want to splice footage of Freese’s two-out double into the videotape the Spurs watch before Game 6.

mikemonroe@express-news.net

Slideshow: Spurs vs. Thunder Game 2

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Spurs 120, Thunder 111: Game 2

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) lays the ball in against San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) near San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots near San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) reacts after hitting a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gets a hand on a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) is trapped between San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) slams the ball near San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) is under pressure from San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33), San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2), San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) talks to San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stands near San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) makes a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) holds his daughter Sydney and his son, Draven, before the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gestures after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) gestures after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) passes around Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nazr Mohammed (8) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) passes over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nazr Mohammed (8) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner (15) shoots a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

A fan holds up a sign during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Fans hold up signs during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

A fan holds up a sign during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after hitting a three point basket during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) gesture for possession of the ball during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) fights for control of the ball with San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) with Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) nearby during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) falls out of bounds after the play during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) swipes the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner (15) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) passes around San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) pulls in a rebound against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) and San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Fans hold up signs during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) dunks against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Thunder trio ran at one-third of capacity

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City didn’t follow its recipe for success in the last two games of the Western Conference finals, yet the Thunder still managed to even the series.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden are supposed to be vital cogs in the Thunder’s Big Three, along with Kevin Durant. The trio combined for 4,452 points during the regular season, leading all NBA trios with an average of 68.4 points per game.

So when Durant started slow in Saturday’s Game 4, and Westbrook and Harden both clanked through difficult shooting nights, it would have seemed to spell disaster for the Thunder’s NBA title hopes.

Instead, the Thunder’s unheralded collection of role players came up with a monster collective effort that kept them afloat until Durant ignited their closing rush in a 109-103 triumph.

Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison combined to hit 22 of 25 shots, as the Spurs struggled to contain the lesser Oklahoma City players.

“You go into a game with a game plan and try to make other guys beat you,” Collison said, when asked to consider what the Spurs were trying to do in Saturday’s game. “When other guys are able to step up and make shots, it’s tough to defend against that. We’re just going to try to continue doing the same things.”

Particularly shocking was the game for Ibaka, who hit all 11 of his shots en route to a career-best 26 points.

Ibaka’s reputation had always been as a shot-blocking wizard whose shooting range barely extended outside the lane.

“All the (Oklahoma City) bigs really scored (Saturday),” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Obviously, you put most of your attention on the Big Three there and try to do a great job on them first. But their bigs came through (Saturday) and were just outstanding.”

Westbrook’s slump has peaked in the last two games of the series. After notching career-best averages of 23.6 points and 45.7 percent shooting from the field during the regular season, his numbers have dipped to 8.5 points and 28 percent shooting in the last two games.

But even with those struggles, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Westbrook has been a productive player in the victories.

“I’m happy with Russ the last two games,” Brooks said. “His numbers don’t stand down and say, ‘Wow, he had a major impact on the offensive end.’ But he did.”

His value has included other elements.

“Russ made timely passes. He set incredible screens. He chased down a couple of plays that probably only Russell could do in the NBA,” Brooks said. “He has a lot of skill and a lot of determination. But I thought the screens to get those shots open for Kevin were just as important as Kevin making them.”

That might have been true in Games 3 and 4. But the Thunder desperately need their Big Three to return to form in order to steal a game in San Antonio.

tgriffin@express-news.net