Monday, December 21, 2015

Thunder snaps SA's win streak, but Spurs pummel Hawks.

The Thunder visited The Riverwalk and handed the defending champions their just second loss at home in a close game that OKC simply played better, winning 108-101 and snapping a would-be 10 game win streak, after also giving Spurs their first loss of the season back in OKC.

The Spurs had a rocky start, missing shots but the defense helped as always. Russell Westbrook defied the double team defensive strategy of San Antonio and nearly notched a triple-double with 29 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds. This would lead OKC to the win, despite the Spurs taking the lead and almost overcoming his great play. The score was tied in the final period at 86 after a SA run, but the Thunder regrouped and surged to the victory, with Westbrook capping things off at the charity stripe to negate the intentional fouling.

Kevin Durant added 22 points, whereas Kawhi Leonard had 26 and an off night shooting the ball. Ray Allen was influential to the comeback with six 3PTers but missed them when it could've taken the lead late in the game.

The Spurs would recover in Atlanta, though, winning easily 111-80 and leading 80-50 at one point after a Manu Ginobili shot from distance.

Kyle Korver was frozen by Kawhi Leonard's defense and the Spurs went on a 16-3 run. The Hawks just had an atrocious showing, with 12 turnovers and shooting 3-15 from deep. Jeff Teague was blocked by a triple team inside to epitomize it, whereas the Spurs played well with several players in double figure scoring.

Prospect Ray McCallum played well early after Tony Parker got 2 fouls.

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