San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have plenty of recent postseason history, after meeting in the Conference Finals in both 2012 and 2014, and splitting those two series. This clash comes one stage earlier, though, and with San Antone boasting a weapon OKC did not have to account for in their last two playoff clashes -- LaMarcus Aldridge.
The winners here will meet either Golden State or Portland to decide who's Best in the West.
But the first order of business is the series opener, and Kawhi Leonard's fast-break dunk gives San Antonio an early lead of 11. The 2014 Finals MVP would finish with 25.
Russell Westbrook tries to bring Oklahoma City back, but Steven Adams has to tip in his miss. The Kiwi with 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Manu Ginobili then finds Aldridge in the paint for the hoop and the harm, as the Spurs continue to dominate the first quarter.
The Thunder try to push back in the second Q, as Kevin Durant drives to the rack for two of his 16 points.
But the Spurs are still rolling as Danny Green gets hacked by Durant on the trey. The shot goes in, and the foul makes it a four point play. OKC coach Billy Donovan not liking that call.
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan would go two-on-five after half-time, with the Big Fundamental getting the bucket and-one, as the lead swells to 34.
TP-9 then works off LA-12's screen to set him up for the jumper as Aldridge pours in 38 points, and San Antonio wins big in the series opener.
Golden State assistant going to Los Angeles after NBA Playoffs
NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr and his Warriors will meet the Trail Blazers to tip-off the other Western Semi-Final later on Sunday, but one of the men who helped him earn that award, assistant Luke Walton, will take over the LA Lakers after the Playoffs end. Walton stepped in for the Dubs as Kerr recovered from back surgery early this season, and led the reigning champions to a 24-0 start, en route to a record setting 73-9 campaign. And soon he will be running his own team on a full-time basis.
"We got our work cut out, for sure, but that makes it fun. To me you find the challenge in helping players grow, and helping a team become a team, and play the right way, and trust each other, and you bring in your own staff that can help get that message across. That's the challenge for coaches and I find that exciting," said Luke Walton, incoming Los Angeles Lakers coach.
