After a season of inconsistenc, Iman Shumpert and Patty Mills have found their touch and confidence shooting the ball. It showed immediately, the two playing well together to start Game 2, with Mills knocking in threes and Shumpert arguably out-shooting Mills from deep. With the sting of Game 1 still fresh, the Thunder found themselves once again down by twenty points before the first quarter even ended.A one-man army, Russell Westbrook bulldozed his way to 38 points with 9 assists on 17/25 shooting, but his team trailed by nearly 40 points at one moment and ultimately lost by 28. Early, though, Russ dunked past Bismack Biyombo in highlight-worthy action.
Then Shumpert swiped the ball from OKC's leader and drilled a 3PTer on the fast break. Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gay clogged the passing lanes, intercepting the ball and racing up the court. Stellar passing by the San Antonio Spurs defined this blowout, with fearless shooting by whoever caught a whip pass.
The Spurs up 25-10 early, Shumpert quickly surged to 15 points on 6-6 shooting, Mills with 10. Leonard hit his stepback jumper to cap off a 20-2 run, Biyombo stiffening into a defensive stalwart. The Spurs led 38-17 after the first quarter. OKC mounted a few 8-0 runs in this game, but the Spurs kept firing back airstrikes every time, pounding the Thunder senseless en route to Game 3.
Kawhi Leonard got going in the second quarter for 14 points, dunking it hard and showing his range, utilizing his defensive talent. Kyle O'Quinn gave the Spurs second chances off rebounds, giving Gasol an easy jumper at his trademark spots, and only more Spurs took their pound of flesh from OKC. Dejounte Murray caught fire from long range, scrambling for a loose ball and popping in a 3PTer, then four more, finishing 5-7 and stealing the ball from Westbrook to eventually run out the clock, mercifully so. The lead increased to thirty points after a 14-2 run by the Spurs, due to Davis Bertans and Murray hitting consecutive three-pointers.
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| Westbrook couldn't overcome the Spurs tonight. |
To begin the 3rd quarter, Murray's behind-the-back pass gave Shumpert another 3PT bomb. Mario Hezonja did well at the PF position in this game, taking it right to Anthony and speeding past him, drawing fouls and making a 3PTer on the wing, the Spurs leading 97-65 in mountainous fashion.
Paul George hit a 3PTer to end the third quarter, but it was folly.
A 10-2 run by the Spurs followed, Westbrook slipped and Mills was open for 3...again. Gasol got hit hard by Adams but made the layup and the following free throw, 122-88, SA. The Spurs shot 57% and 47% from 3PT territory, missing only one free throw (11-12), forcing 20 turnovers by OKC. Iman Shumpert led the way with 21 points, making a handful of 3PT shots, crafting 6 assists on 80% (8/10) shooting with 2 steals and 1 block. Murry had 19 points and 1 steal on 6/9 shooting. Kawhi Leonard also had 19 points, once more sitting out the 4th Quarter with the victory in-hand. He had 5 steals on 7/10 shooting. Patty Mills was deadly for 18 points, making a quartet from deep. Pau Gasol had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Mario Hezonja had 13 and Bismack Biyombo had 11 points with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.
In the brutal defeat, Paul George had 16 points, Patrick Patterson had 15 points and Carmelo Anthony had 11 points. Steven Adams had 8 points with 10 rebounds. OKC shot 56%, hoping it can carry some positive qualities home as they host the next two games in this series.