The Oklahoma City Thunder came out strong Tuesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, winning 127-114 against the San Antonio Spurs to take a 3-2 lead in the West Finals and move within one win of their second consecutive NBA Finals.
Led by a 32-point performance from Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder put Sunday’s loss in San Antonio behind them and will have their first “game ball” to clinch the series this Thursday, once again in Texas.
OKC holds off Wembanyama
Mark Daigneault’s men held Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, who was 4-of-15 from the field (0-of-5 on three-pointers) for 20 points and six rebounds.
The New York Knicks, who swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to return to the Finals for the first time in 27 years, await an opponent in the series that will deliver the ring.
It will be played as of June 3 in a best-of-seven match.
The Thunder, reigning NBA champions, shot 48.2% from the field.
And they connected on 14 of their 32 attempts from beyond the arc against the Spurs in Game 5 of the series.
Without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, Gilgeous Alexander started a modest one-for-five in shooting.
But he ended up putting up his best scoring performance of the series (32 points), to which he added nine assists (Filed as: Oklahoma City Thunder approaches the Finals).
Shai responds as MVP
SGA finished the game six-of-19 from the field, two-of-three from three-point range and 16-of-17 from the free throw line.
Despite a poor start by SGA, the NBA’s two-time MVP, the Thunder still won the first segment.
This is thanks to the great group response from Mark Daigneault’s team.
Germany’s Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds.
Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Jared McCain shined in the starting five with 20 points and Alex Caruso came off the bench with 22 points and four three-pointers.
The Thunder took an 11-point lead into halftime and gave the Spurs no chance of a comeback.
Wembanyama struggled to find a rhythm and scored twelve of his twenty points from the free throw line (Filed under: Oklahoma City Thunder approaches the Finals).
They won 127-114
QuéOnnda.com
Spurs on the brink of elimination
The Spurs’ top scorer was Stephon Castle with 24 points, while Julian Champagnie scored 22.
The Spurs were down 58-78 at the start of the third quarter.
And there was no shortage of controversy at the end of that segment.
This when the referees denied a basket to Luke Kornet after an irregular OKC stopper.
And also a possession to the Texans after a last touch on a Wembanyama tackle.
San Antonio was never able to get closer than eight points from the Thunder.
They shielded with authority a victory that leaves them just one step away from the Finals (Filed under: Oklahoma City Thunder approaches the Finals).
With information from EFE
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