Spurs Down Thunder on Parker’s 42
The San Antonio Spurs perhaps played their best game of the season last night in a route of the NBA’s best road team (and perhaps best overall team) the Oklahoma City Thunder. San Antonio got what it needed from its Big 2, and the Spurs made it look like they are not missing Manu Ginobili too much just yet.
Tony Parker scored a season high 42 points in 39 minutes, also adding on three rebounds, two steals, and a block. He also added nine assits, which pushed him past Avery Johnson’s team record, which now stands at 4,477. Parker has benifited from playing all 11 seasons of his NBA career with the Spurs, and with Tim Duncan, and all of Manu’s time in the NBA.
Tim Duncan also had himself quite a game, scoring 13 points and grabbing 15 boards in 30 minutes. Kawhi Leonard got the start tonight so he could guard Kevin Durant, and scored 15 points, including making all three of his three point attempts. However, no other Spurs player was able to crack double digits.
The Thunder were able to have a balanced scoring attack, with six players in double figures, but they did not shoot the ball great. Kevin Durant took 19 shots to score his 22 points, Russell Westbrook put up 15 for his 18 points, and Daequan Cook took 10 shots for his 13 points. Not exactly the most efficient numbers.
San Antonio was able to out-rebound the Thunder, which is something that has not happend a whole lot this season. For playing a copious amount of minutes, I’m thoroughly surprised the Kendrick Perkins only took a single shot, which he missed, and grabbed only three rebounds. Perk has got to do more than that if the Thunder want to continue to beat the better teams in the league.
San Antonio was effective from behind the arc, draining 12 of their 23 attempts, while also shooting a solid 21-25 from the free throw line. This should not come as much of a surprise for the Spurs who are out to prove that they are not done just yet. The rest of the NBA should be put on notice.
Follow Paul Troupe on Twitter @gamin4HIM
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