Spurs take playoffs series lead

The San Antonio Spurs complete a 112-77 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.

Spurs take commanding series lead [AFP]

Tony Parker scored 22 points, and Danny Green made seven three-pointers and added 21 as the San Antonio Spurs used a dominant third quarter to down the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 and take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Tim Duncan added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili and Boris Diaw had 11 points apiece off the bench.

The Spurs conceded a 2-0 lead against the Thunder in the 2012 conference finals, but look ready to keep rolling right into the NBA Finals this time.

“We just did our job. We won our first two games at home and I’m sure they’re going to go back and say we have to do our job and win two games at home,” Parker said.

Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each had 15 points, but the third-quarter barrage made spectators of both – not that they accomplished much when they did play.

The star duo combined to shoot 13 for 40, including four for 14 in the third quarter.

Playing without Serge Ibaka and given two days to adjust to dropping Game 1 by 17 points, the Thunder performed worse.

Thunder fall away

Parker and Green each had eight points in the third quarter as San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City 33-18 in the period.

It was a shocking turn for the Thunder, who started well.

“It definitely doesn’t feel good and it shouldn’t,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “I hope our locker doesn’t feel good. You shouldn’t feel good.

Oklahoma City opened more aggressive on both ends, especially defensively, and their physicality disrupted the Spurs early and frustrated them emotionally.

Duncan was issued a technical with about five minutes left in the first quarter after complaining when Ed Malloy ruled he threw a hip into Durant.

The Thunder scored five straight to open the game, with Westbrook’s three capping the early run and producing what would become their largest lead of the series at 5-0.

Source: AP