Off to the final NBA now and the Oklahoma City were looking to bounce back in their series against San Antonio. OKC got their cans kicked, falling by 32 points in the opening game of their series, and needed a big effort from their two stars -- Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, if they were to hand the Spurs just their second home loss of the season an even the series.
And the visitors were intent on turning the tables, and take a 13-point lead early on Westbrook's bucket. He would have 29.
LaMarcus Aldridge would try and bring his team back, getting the hook in the lane.
The SPurs chip-away and eventually go in front, as Kawhi Leonard hits the fallaway.
Second half, and Kevin Durant gets in the act -- he is fouled on his jumper, and OKC extend their lead. 28 for K-D.
Things would be tight the rest of the way -- Aldridge is the trailer and he goes down main street. He had a game high 41. but San Antone trails by 1.
Oklahoma City 98 - San Antonio 97
Late in the fourth, and the Thunder nursing the lead -- when Dion Waiters nails the triple, putting his side up 5.
But Aldridge dials long distance -- and suddenly it is a 1-point game inside 30 seconds.
12-seconds to play now -- and the Thunder up 1, and inbounding the ball, only they turn it over. The Spurs go the other way, only instead of going to the basket they pass it around the perimeter -- Patty Mills is off the mark, and OKC ends up with the rebound, and hold-on in a bizarre final sequence taking the game 98-97 and tie the series at 1.
LeBron James and Cleveland facing Atlanta in game one of their second round series.
The Cavs would open up a double-digit lead as Matthew Dellavadova finds LBJ rolling to the rim.
Second half and the hosts continue to play from in front -- the King finds Kevin Love outside the arc, and he cans it. the lead swells to 14.
And the Cavs would be able to expand the lead some more in the third q, the turnover leads to a fast break -- a give-and go with Kyrie Irving leads to a monster jam from Lebron. 18-point game now.
The Hawks, though would not go away, more from Schroeder -- as he finds the range from the land beyond -- and the lead is now down to single digits.
And the Atlanta point guard is able to get to the cup, and ties things at 82. He would have a game high 27 points.
things then get worse for the Land. Kevin Love injured as Ken Bazemore fouls him. It is not the same shoulder he dislocated in last year's playoffs.
About two minutes left and the Cavs nursing a 4-point lead, when LeBron goes hard to the rack. He is hacked in the act -- but powers it home. Cleveland hold on for an 11-point win and draw first blood in the series.
