Spurs eliminate Thunder, get Finals rematch vs. Heat
OKLAHOMA CITY — The San Antonio Spurs are back in the NBA Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107 in overtime last night in Game 6 to set up a rematch with the Miami Heat.
Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs, who will play host to Game 1 on Thursday as they try to avenge last year’s sevengame loss.
Boris Diaw scored 26 points for the Spurs, who won despite point guard Tony Parker missing the second half and overtime because of a sore left ankle.
Russell Westbrook had 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals, and Kevin Durant added 31 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder. Oklahoma City overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Kawhi Leonard added 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili chipped in 15 points for the Spurs.
In overtime, Duncan’s shot from the baseline rattled in to give the Spurs a 110-107 lead with 19 seconds left.
Durant missed a threepoint attempt and the Spurs rebounded and went to the line. Diaw missed the first and made the second free throw to make it a fourpoint lead. Westbrook missed a three, and the Spurs wrapped it up.
San Antonio led by 12 early in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder chipped away at the free-throw line after getting the Spurs into foul trouble. Back-toback baskets by Westbrook and Durant cut San Antonio’s lead to 93-91 with 4:01 left, leading to the frantic final minutes.
Durant made two free throws to tie the score at 97 with 58 seconds left. San Antonio attacked, but Serge Ibaka blocked Ginobili’s shot at the rim — replays showed the ball hit the backboard first and should have been a goaltend — and Derek Fisher rebounded.
Durant made a layup with 32 seconds left, finally giving the Thunder the lead at 99-97.
Ginobili came back with a three putting the Spurs back up 100-99.
Durant lost the ball, and San Antonio came up with it, forcing the Thunder to foul. Ginobili made the first and missed the second free throw with 15.9 seconds left. Westbrook was fouled on a drive with 9.3 seconds left. He made both free throws to tie the score at 101.