San Antonio strikes 1st blow
Duo of Aldridge, Leonard combine for 63 points
SAN ANTONIO — LaMarcus Aldridge had 38 points and the San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-92 on Saturday night, never trailing in Game 1 of the second-round series.
Kawhi Leonard added 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in 22 minutes for San Antonio. The Spurs led by as many as 43 points and sat their starters in the fourth quarter to rest them for Game 2 on Monday night.
Aldridge broke out for his finest performance of the season after Memphis held him to 14.5 points in the first round, nearly seven points below his regular-season numbers. Aldridge was 18 for 23 from the field, including his first 3-pointer of the season and banking in a left-handed scoop shot as he was falling in the lane.
Leonard and Aldridge combined for 45 points in the first half, outscoring Oklahoma City as a team by four. Unfortunately for the Thunder, the rest of the Spurs were just as impressive early.
Aldridge’s postseason career high of 46 points came for Portland vs. the Rockets on April 20, 2014.
San Antonio matched a postseason franchise record for points in a quarter with 43 in the first period.
Serge Ibaka led Oklahoma City with 19 points, but was limited to two rebounds.
Kevin Durant had 16 points, and Russell Westbrook added 14, but they were harassed into 11-for- 34 shooting.
The Spurs scored the most postseason points against the Thunder. They had 39 assists, which was more than the Thunder’s field goal total of 35.
San Antonio shot 82 percent in the opening quarter, including 3 for 4 on 3-pointers in taking a 23-point lead. The Spurs also blocked six shots, collapsing and surrounding the Thunder with multiple defenders whenever they drove into the lane.
The only scare came when Leonard grabbed the back of his left leg after landing on it awkwardly off a powerful one-handed dunk on the game’s opening possession. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich paced the sideline in concern, asking Leonard “are you OK?” on the Spurs’ ensuing possession. Leonard didn’t respond verbally, but his dynamic efforts on both ends of the court answered Popovich’s concerns.
He shot 10 for 13 from the field and had only one turnover while guarding Westbrook and Durant.
Oklahoma City was noticeably frustrated and out of sorts throughout the game.
Westbrook shook his head and cringed when he saw Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan signal for him to run a play after the Thunder’s electric point guard slowly brought the ball upcourt and looked toward the bench in an apparent desire for a timeout with San Antonio up 17-6. That play would lead to a breakaway dunk by Leonard, which prompted Donovan to call a timeout.