Spurs pull away in fourth to win Western opener

Spurs 122, Thunder 105: Tim Duncan scored 27 points and host San Antonio took advantage of Serge Ibaka’s absence to dominate the lane, beating Oklahoma City last night in the opener of the Western Conference finals.

Manu Ginobili added 18 points and Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green had 16 points each for the Spurs. Tony Parker did not appear limited by a hamstring injury, with 14 points and 12 assists.

Kevin Durant scored 28 points and Russell Westbrook 25, but the Thunder’s remaining starters— Nick Collison, Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins — combined to score five points.

Oklahoma City struggled without the defensive presence of Ibaka, who will miss the remainder of the postseason after suffering a calf injury in the Thunder’s series clincher against the Los Angeles Clippers.

San Antonio had 66 points in the paint and shot 58 percent from the field.

The Spurs fed Duncan early with Ibaka out, and the veteran responded by scoring 12 points in the first quarter, making six of his seven shots.

San Antonio finally won after losing to Oklahoma City all four times in the regular season, but this one wasn’t easy despite Ibaka’s absence. The Spurs’ lead was only seven entering the fourth quarter.

But the extended efforts exerted by the Thunder’s two All-Stars eventually took a toll, especially with the Spurs bench coming to life. Westbrook and Durant were limited to seven points in the final quarter.

Spurs 122, Thunder 105

Daily line

NBA sets Sterling hearing

The NBA charged Donald Sterling with damaging the league and its teams with his racist comments, setting up a June 3 hearing after which owners could vote to terminate his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a recording in which he made racist remarks.

Sterling’s attorney, Maxwell Blecher, asked for a threemonth delay in response to the charge, but the league is not expected to grant it.