May 30, 2014

2014 NBA Playoffs, Day 37

Control over a series is sometimes as simple as asking the question "where's the game being played"?

Game 5: Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio.

I didn't see a lot of this game; it turned into a blowout in the second half thanks to OKC not really showing up on offense.

In the first half, both teams were pretty strong.  In the second, neither one was as good, but OKC was worse, scoring only 34 points.  Considering that they scored 32 in the first quarter, that's problematic unless their defense was exceptional.

Spoiler alert: it wasn't.

For whatever reason, the Spurs were not afraid of Ibaka and his shot-altering ability.  Not only that, but they were back to the efficient execution and shot-making that they showed in spades in the first two games.

Ginobili had 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line.  Combine that with 22-and-12 from Duncan and a well-rounded attack from Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and oddly enough, Boris Diaw...and there you go.

Durant and Westbrook weren't bad, by any means.  They put up roughly half of the team's total points by themselves.  I guess the problem is that none of the other guys were in double figures and the defense wasn't there.

What do you know, the box score doesn't tell the whole story.

At any rate, the Spurs have taken control of the series temporarily.  We'll see what happens when it shifts back to Oklahoma City.

My guess is that it'll get ugly on their end as the Thunder play better.

San Antonio leads 3-2.  Game 6 is Saturday.

Later today, Game 6 in Miami.  The series should already be over; still, Miami moves on to the NBA Finals with a win.

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