Slideshow: Spurs vs. Thunder Game 5

The Thunder beat the Spurs 108-103 to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.

– photos by Jerry Lara and Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News

1 of 83 | Share

Spurs vs. Thunder Game 5


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) helps up San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) reacts near San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) reacts after being fouled and hitting a three point basket near Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) walks off the court after the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots a three point basket during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. Ginobili missed the shot to tie the game. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots a three point basket during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) hits a three point basket over San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) walk on the court near the end of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) on the bench near the end of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


The San Antonio Spurs tip off against The Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kevin Martin / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) walks down the court during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-106. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) motions after hitting a three point basket giving the Thunder 108 points during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) walk off the court after the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) holds a towel over his head near the end of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) walks on the court during team introductions before the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) talks to Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) near Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) guards Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) talks to official Tom Washington as Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) listen during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gestures during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after being called for a foul during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) goes to the basket over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4), drawing a charge call, during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks gestures during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) fight for control of the ball during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) smiles during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks talks to Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich yells during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) points after scoring a basket during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) reacts after being called for a charging foul during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green (4) and San Antonio Spurs’ DeJuan Blair (45) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) is guarded by San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) and San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) gestures after making a basket during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich yells during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Daequan Cook (14) shoots the ball during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) yells near San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) after being fouled during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) strips the ball from San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) near Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) reacts after teammate Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) was fouled during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) fouls San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots a three point basket during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) sits on the bench during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) draws a charging call against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) helps up Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) watching during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) passes around San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) is pressured by San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) and San Antonio Spurs’ Gary Neal (14) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots over San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) high fives Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) dribbles between San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) gestures after fouling Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) greets Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0) reacts near San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s James Harden (13) dribbles near San Antonio Spurs’ Stephen Jackson (3) during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) walks towards the benech during the first half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) lays in the ball during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) goes to the basket during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili (20) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the second half of game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)


Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks hugs Wanda Pratt, Kevin Durant’s mother, after game five of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Monday, June 4, 2012. The Thunder won 108-103. (San Antonio Express-News)

  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2057
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2212
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1896
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1861
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1857
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1837
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1987
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 2172
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1926
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 2133
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1936
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1943
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1303
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KM 0034
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2106
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 2140
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2133
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0040
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0063
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0068
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0088
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0205
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0213
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0280
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0881
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0910
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0967
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0933
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0902
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1033
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0021
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0075
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0090
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0109
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0116
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0343
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0379
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0418
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0470
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0593
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0629
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0673
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0814
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0842
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 0997
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 0252
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1201
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1322
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1545
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1167
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1219
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1564
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1615
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1626
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1633
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1653
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1664
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1695
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1712
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1720
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1733
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 1768
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1258
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1262
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1448
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1297
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1455
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1462
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1494
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1509
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1528
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1548
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1582
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2267
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER KMH 2284
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1658
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1697
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1712
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 2327
  • GM 5 SPURS THUNDER JL 1871

Thabo’s TV commercial: Would a Thunder phenom convince you to buy a new car?

It’s fashionable among many of the NBA cognescenti to knock small-market franchises for the lack of endorsements that are available in the league’s largest cities.

But Oklahoma City guard Thabo Sefolosha is the beneficiary of playing for the Thunder. Much like Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter, Sefolosha is the face of a auto dealership commercial that is receiving huge local airtime during the playoffs.

During a survey of the four major commercial TV stations, I watched Sefolosha’s commercial five different times.

And I wondered why I should hog all of the fun of watching this commercial – particularly after Sefolosha’s huge performance in Game 3  when he produced a season-high 19 points, six steals, six rebounds and a suffocating defensive effort against Tony Parker.

And here, courtesy of You Tube.com, is one of Sefolosha’s commercials for Norman Dodge in the Oklahoma City area.

Enjoy.

Offensive adjustments not foreign for Spurs

By Jeff McDonald

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Swiss, a Frenchman, a Congolese and an Argentine all walk onto a basketball court.

What sounds like the setup to a bad joke was actually the defensive recipe Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks used to get his team back into the Western Conference finals.

With off-guard Thabo Sefolosha blanketing Tony Parker, and with power forward Serge Ibaka flummoxing Manu Ginobili on most every pick-and-roll, the Spurs’ juggernaut of an offense looked downright mortal in a 102-82 loss in Game 3 on Thursday.

“They brought it,” said Ginobili, whose team had a franchise-best 20-game winning streak stopped. “They got us on our heels. Now we know how it’s going to be.”

Still up 2-1 in the series, how the Spurs respond in Game 4 tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena will go a long way toward determining how much longer this thing plays out.

First order of business: Solving the Thunder’s International House of Defense.

Sefolosha, a 28-year-old from Switzerland, is 6-foot-7. His combination of length and quickness made it difficult for Parker to scoot around him.

After averaging 26 points in Games 1 and 2, Parker managed 16 in Game 3 and committed five of the Spurs’ 21 turnovers.

Parker, who had been guarded in the first two games mostly by Russell Westbrook, was not exactly surprised by the change.

“It’s not the first time,” Parker said. “They did it before in the past. I have to keep being aggressive and choosing my spots.”

Of greater significance, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, was Brooks’ other major adjustment.

The call to switch most every pick-and-roll often left Ibaka, the NBA’s top shot-blocker at 6-foot-9, paired with Ginobili on the perimeter. The 22-year-old Republic of Congo native handled the assignment well, keeping Ginobili out of the paint and unable to throw the pick-and-roll passes he prefers.

Ginobili went 1 for 5 from the field and added four turnovers to the Spurs’ tally. His counter in Game 4 is simple.

“Attack better,” Ginobili said. “When they collapse the paint, try to find the open teammate. Basic basketball. It’s not something Xs and Os wise. I’ve got to be sharper, more decisive. The spacing’s got to be better.”

With their trademark pick-and-roll effectively sabotaged, the Spurs struggled to keep up with OKC on the scoreboard.

After seemingly getting any shot they wanted in Games 1 and 2, the Spurs were forced into more one-on-one isolation plays in Game 3 than they would have liked.

The ball movement that was the staple of the Spurs’ winning streak disappeared. The offense stagnated.

During their streak, the Spurs averaged better than 109 points per game. The 82 they mustered Thursday were their fewest in the postseason since a 101-81 loss at Dallas in the 2010 first round.

“Our pick-and-roll defense was very good against probably the best pick-and-roll offense,” Brooks said. “We did a good job of getting into the ball, did a good job of being up into the ball with our bigs. That was the key.”

In addition to pouring in an uncharacteristic 19 points, Sefolosha snagged six steals — most in the playoffs against the Spurs in 11 years.

Oklahoma City logged 14 steals in all, scored 20 of their points off Spurs miscues and seemed to deflect even the most routine passes.

Given the overwhelming success the Thunder defense enjoyed in Game 3, the Spurs can expect a similar switch-everything approach tonight.

“We have to use the mismatches we get from that to our advantage,” said Tim Duncan, who is 13 of 41 so far in the series. “Tony and Manu will be expecting those kind of switches, and they have to attack them in a different way.”

If the Spurs can figure out a new plan for dealing with OKC’s defensive alterations, they have an excellent chance of bringing a 3-1 lead home with them.

And if they can’t? The punchline that follows won’t seem so funny.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

SPURS VS. THUNDER
Western Conference finals
(Spurs lead best-of-7 series 2-1)

Game 1:

Game 2:

Game 3:

Game 4: Saturday – Spurs @ Thunder, 7:30 p.m. TNT

Game 5: Monday – Spurs vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

*Game 6: Wednesday – Spurs @ Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

*Game 7: Friday – Spurs vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. TNT

– All times Central
*If necessary