The San Antonio Spurs went inside and outside to turn the defenceless Oklahoma City Thunder upside down.
Frenchman Tony Parker scored 22 points, Danny Green drilled seven triples en route to 21, and the Spurs spanked the visiting Thunder, 112-77 on Wednesday night to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference finals.
“I had my rhythm going and I was fortunate to make some shots,” said Green, who knocked down 7-of-10 from behind the arc.
Tim Duncan had 14 points with 12 rebounds, while Argentine Manu Ginobili netted 11 off the bench for the top-seeded Spurs, who outscored their guests, 67-36 in the middle quarters for their second straight rout.
“We knew there would be adjustments and our shooters would get some open looks,” Duncan said. “Defensively, we were good and that’s where we want to be. All in all, we were solid.”
Despite posting the most lopsided playoff victory in franchise history, the Spurs won’t let their guard down because they’ve been there before. San Antonio was in an identical position but Oklahoma City stormed back to win the next four games and a trip to the 2012 NBA Finals.
In Monday’s 122-105 bashing, the Spurs took advantage of the absence to Thunder power forward and top defender Serge Ibaka - out of the playoffs with a left calf injury - to dominate inside with a whopping 66 points in the paint.
The unselfish Spurs continued to attack the lane on Wednesday with 54 points and also utilised Green’s hot 3-point shooting.
Trailing 36-33 with seven minutes 42 seconds left in the second period, the Spurs closed on a 25-8 run, capped by Green’s fourth triple of the half and one from Ginobili for a 58-48 cushion.
The Spurs broke open the contest by outscoring their helpless guests, 36-18 in the third quarter.
The Spurs carried a 91-62 cushion heading into the final frame and cruised home with the lopsided win to the delight of the more than 18,500 rabid fans at the sold-out AT&T Center.
