Game 4: Western Conference Finals / Spurs vs Thunderefs @ OKC!

[jkid12456]

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2013/10/31/1226750/638472-ceec620e-41e4-11e3-8308-a963aeaf7bd4.jpghttp://oi61.tinypic.com/cqal0.jpg

[jkid12456]

correct thread.

[jkid12456]

:flag:

[Mikeanaro]

:flag:

[ElNono]

:flag:

I have your boy Patty coming up big and dominating this game, tbh

[jARS mEsH sEt]

:lmao I thought you were pulling a dallasmaverickslose and literally trying to make a game thread before the prior game is even decided :rollin

[jkid12456]

:flag:

I have your boy Patty coming up big and dominating this game, tbh

Same. got a good feeling about this game!

[jkid12456]

:lmao I thought you were pulling a dallasmaverickslose and literally trying to make a game thread before the prior game is even decided :rollin

my bad, i cant count today.

[jkid12456]

:lobt::wakeup

[mVp]

Start Patty and bench Parker until his vagina is healed.

[dg7md]

You're a jinx with game threads aren't you? Let Amused do it, he did the Game 7 versus Dallas.

[jkid12456]

No. im a fokin leprachaun nikka

[Darius Bieber]

Thunder 107 - Spurs 91.

[jkid12456]

Spurs 107 - Thunder 102

[RD2191]

No. im a fokin leprachaun nikka
:lmao

[jkid12456]

:downspin:

[jkid12456]

!!!!!

[dg7md]

If we lose this it's on you and I want you to owe up to this. But if we win then why not try to make the rest of them?

[slick'81]

Game on!

[TampaDude]

Bullshit game last night. Spurs will dominate again in Game 4. Spurs in 5, as expected.

GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[EVAY]

If the Spurs are championship quality, they will play game 4 like they SHOULD have played game 3.

1. Parker will show up.

2. We will not get out-hustled on virtually every single 50-50 ball in the game.

3. We will rebound.

4. Duncan, Diaw, Splitter, Leonard and Bellinelli will make more than 30% of their shots.

5. Our bigs will provide some effective picks for our guards to get free enough to get more open looks at the basket.


If we don't do ALL of the above, there is a good chance we lose again. Thank god we have HCA. Before the series started, many of us assumed we would need all 7 games to put OKC away. We may have been right.

[EVAY]

^^^^This doesn't address the refs participation in the game, but that has been addressed ad nauseam elsewhere on the forum.

We CAN win 5 on 8. We have done it before. But we can't do it playing as poorly as we played last night.

[spursparker9]

Ibaka with the game winner

[myhc]

I think the Spurs play a much better game with a renewed focus. Duncan and Parker play great. But we ultimately lose a close one. I think this is the game Durant/Westbrook both go off and score a combined 70. This will go back to San Antonio tied 2-2.

[jeebus]

Another Spurs loss. It'll keep happening until this site does right by what it did to Amused in the last game thread.

[cd021]

Spurs 107 - Thunder 102
:tu

[Prose]

Honestly we will see what the spurs bring tommorow, then I will deside if spurs are going to repeat 2012. In 2012 narrowly lost in games four and five. I'd say I'm at about 49% concern level...

[Jdspur20]

even if Spurs lose game 4, I see them coming back and winning game 5. the only reason they lost game 5 in 2012 was because of Harden. that said, this is not 2012. if Patty's shot counted without that piece of crap call, could have been a different game.
I just don't see the Spurs having a bad shooting game like that 2 times in a row and certainly not 3 times in a row. 39 percent aint going to cut it.

[smaka]

Spurs come out way different that in game 3, again playing real Spurs basketball and shutting Methkc's crowd.

:flag:

[Knoxxx]

All that said game 4 has dvr written all over it in ca se refs and okc go ham again.

[EVAY]

I'm glad we have HCA. Because it looks to me like we are gonna need every home game.

[jkid12456]

Honestly we will see what the spurs bring tommorow, then I will deside if spurs are going to repeat 2012. In 2012 narrowly lost in games four and five. I'd say I'm at about 49% concern level...

:lol 49%. Precise!

Stop being wishy washy just bet on it! win or lose!

[LoneStarState'sPride]

:flag:

I have your boy Patty coming up big and dominating this game, tbh

The Baker's Man will light it up.

[Kawhi]

"Spurs vs thundrefs @ okc"

Wtf, why not just name it 'Spurs @ Thunderefs' you stupid fuck

[Spurish]

We got this. We will super focused and charged up and claim the W on our last visit to OKC this season.

:flag:

[superjames1992]

jkid started the thread. Oh, no..........

OKC 134, SA 83

Patty 0-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-4 FT, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 11 TOs, tbqh, fwiw.

[TheRemix]

"Spurs vs thundrefs @ okc"

Wtf, why not just name it 'Spurs @ Thunderefs' you stupid fuck:lol

[jkid12456]

"Spurs vs thundrefs @ okc"

Wtf, why not just name it 'Spurs @ Thunderefs' you stupid fuck

DOES IT MATTER NIGGI

[Knoxxx]

The infighting is reaching epic proportions.

[RD2191]

jkid started the thread. Oh, no..........

OKC 134, SA 83

Patty 0-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-4 FT, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 11 TOs, tbqh, fwiw.

:lol

[Nathan89]

Pretty sure nobody posted up on Ibaka during game 3. Too much respect.

After we lose this game I expect Diaw to be in the starting lineup for game 5. Maybe in the second half of game 4.

[Manuismyhomeboy]

Monrow and McDonald are reporting on twitter that Joey and Mike Callaghan are two of the three for tomorrow!

[Ditty]

Hopefully the Spurs will stop with the stupid rookie type fouls. If so we will be fine.

[Sean Cagney]

I'm glad we have HCA. Because it looks to me like we are gonna need every home game.

I said all year long to some in here and some said it would not matter if they had HC or not lol, yeah right. The SPURS needed HC to have any shot in this series.

[dg7md]

I think we're due a win in OKC, and based on how poorly we played in game 3 yet we hung in there so close, I think we got game 4.

[TE]

Let this nigga do the thread.

I'm going all in...

[TE]

I'm taking the Spurs to win in less than 4. I hope I'm right and Vegas doesn't fuck me up, tbh.

[MI21]

Monrow and McDonald are reporting on twitter that Joey and Mike Callaghan are two of the three for tomorrow!

Could be worse than Joey, tbh, even though I do hate that fucker.

[EVAY]

Could be worse than Joey, tbh, even though I do hate that fucker.

Yeah, I honestly think that Tony Brothers is worse than Joey. Not that he (Brothers) is necessarily corrupt, but the man is incompetent beyond belief. I swear he must have the i.q. of a gnat.

[EVAY]

Tonight's refs:

Joey Crawford
Mike Callahan
Jason Phillips
David Jones, alt.

[BillMc]

Yeah, I honestly think that Tony Brothers is worse than Joey. Not that he (Brothers) is necessarily corrupt, but the man is incompetent beyond belief. I swear he must have the i.q. of a gnat.

That's an insult to gnats.:lol

[EVAY]

One thing that I noticed in the pre-game presser prior to Game 3. Pop was once again asked about his team's 'mental preparedness' or 'emotional state', or some words to that effect, and he said what he has said so many times before: "I don't know - you think I go ask 'em? You just go play. These guys are adults and they are professionals and they know what is required".

Then the Spurs went out and fell flat.

There is a recurring theme here - that is that the lack of a 'killer" instinct has been a characteristic of Pop's teams his whole coaching career, and I'm beginning to conclude that he has no clue about motivation other than fury when they have screwed up, which is also always present in the aftermath of one of the meltdowns that they occasionally have.

When he said in the post-game presser how 'disappointed' he was that his team lacked the willingness to 'put the foot on the neck' of the opponent, I thought to myself "Come on, Pop - even professionals need a little juice every now and then. And you knew damn well that OKC was coming with an emotional high from the Ibaka return and feeling desperate because they were down 0-2, and you don't think your team needed something motivationally from you? Of course they are grown men who SHOULD know what it is going to take, but how often do you have to be reminded that without some emotional boost, they might fall flat?

Pop has been 'surprised' that his teams 'haven't brought it' too often for it to be believable any anymore that it is really a surprise. If it is truly a surprise, then you are not paying attention, coach. And if it is not a surprise, why do you continue to insist that they need nothing from you until you have to yell at them?

[DBMethos]

Tonight's refs:

Joey Crawford
Mike Callahan
Jason Phillips
David Jones, alt.

If true, this is the best time to get Joey. He loves to fuck with the home crowd.

[look_at_g_shred]

One thing that I noticed in the pre-game presser prior to Game 3. Pop was once again asked about his team's 'mental preparedness' or 'emotional state', or some words to that effect, and he said what he has said so many times before: "I don't know - you think I go ask 'em? You just go play. These guys are adults and they are professionals and they know what is required".

Then the Spurs went out and fell flat.

There is a recurring theme here - that is that the lack of a 'killer" instinct has been a characteristic of Pop's teams his whole coaching career, and I'm beginning to conclude that he has no clue about motivation other than fury when they have screwed up, which is also always present in the aftermath of one of the meltdowns that they occasionally have.

When he said in the post-game presser how 'disappointed' he was that his team lacked the willingness to 'put the foot on the neck' of the opponent, I thought to myself "Come on, Pop - even professionals need a little juice every now and then. And you knew damn well that OKC was coming with an emotional high from the Ibaka return and feeling desperate because they were down 0-2, and you don't think your team needed something motivationally from you? Of course they are grown men who SHOULD know what it is going to take, but how often do you have to be reminded that without some emotional boost, they might fall flat?

Pop has been 'surprised' that his teams 'haven't brought it' too often for it to be believable any anymore that it is really a surprise. If it is truly a surprise, then you are not paying attention, coach. And if it is not a surprise, why do you continue to insist that they need nothing from you until you have to yell at them?
Great post.

[EVAY]

If true, this is the best time to get Joey. He loves to fuck with the home crowd.

It has already been announced by the NBA. It is true.

And if your observation that he likes to mess with the home crowd is also true, then he will really be a brave man to mess with the OKC nutcakes. I'm not so sure I would have that kind of guts.

[DBMethos]

It has already been announced by the NBA. It is true.

And if your observation that he likes to mess with the home crowd is also true, then he will really be a brave man to mess with the OKC nutcakes. I'm not so sure I would have that kind of guts.

http://i.imgur.com/yrlM3sD.gif

[Spur|n|Austin]

http://i.imgur.com/yrlM3sD.gif

:lol wow

[Dex]

Are we really hanging our Game 4 hopes on jkid?

Alright....:ihit let's do this. :ihit

Make this shit official.

[Budkin]

I'm glad we have HCA. Because it looks to me like we are gonna need every home game.

This. Once I saw "injured warrior" Serge Ibaka playing like that I knew it was going 7.

[look_at_g_shred]

This. Once I saw "injured warrior" Serge Ibaka playing like that I knew it was going 7.
My thing is, if we can't play against their defense in OKC... What will make it different in SA? Look, I have tons of faith in us, yet when I see us with our tail between our legs because Serge is in the lineup now, it begs the question "Will it be any different in SA?"

[BillMc]

My thing is, if we can't play against their defense in OKC... What will make it different in SA? Look, I have tons of faith in us, yet when I see us with our tail between our legs because Serge is in the lineup now, it begs the question "Will it be any different in SA?"

Not only will it be different in SA, it will be different tonight!!

[DBMethos]

Not only will it be different in SA, it will be different tonight!!

I certainly hope so. I can't help but feeling that we wasted a great Manu effort in G3 though. Can't expect another shooting performance like that from him, so other guys need to step up.

[Spurs_Be_Beastin']

Come on basketball gods , give us this game. Its bad enough they lied like cowards, they are not worthy.
GSG.

[look_at_g_shred]

Not only will it be different in SA, it will be different tonight!!
Yes it will :ihit

[mando6599]

Let's rock their building tonight and leave there with a 3-1 edge! GSG!

[BillMc]

Yes it will :ihit

:toast

[SpurSwag]

Biggest game of our season here, a win would be one of the more satisfying ones in years for me at least. I want nothing more than a ridiculous blow out on our end

[peacemaker885]

:flag:

[Spur|n|Austin]

This. Once I saw "injured warrior" Serge Ibaka playing like that I knew it was going 7.

Yep, after I heard he applied a paste onto the strained calf area made up of ground-up cloves, larvae from the Giant African Fruit Beetle, and Rhinocerous semen. Then he rubbed 2 yak bones together while chanting outside for an hour at 3pm. Then, he wrung the sweat from his dashiki into a clay bowl and drank it all; I knew it was a 7 game series.

[Strategic]

Biggest game of our season here, a win would be one of the more satisfying ones in years for me at least. I want nothing more than a ridiculous blow out on our end
and seeing westbrook and Durant yelling at each other mid court would be a little icing.

[Budkin]

Biggest game of our season here, a win would be one of the more satisfying ones in years for me at least. I want nothing more than a ridiculous blow out on our end

I'll be just as happy with a 1 pt win.

[look_at_g_shred]

The thrill of winning tonight is eating me alive !!!

[look_at_g_shred]

Fuck Shit Up tonight Spurs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mihiISf-VKk

[MVPCues]

GO SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MeloHype]

:flag:

[gambit1990]

we got this.

[crc21209]

https://mobile.twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN

Jeff McDonald
@JMcDonald_SAEN

Game 4 refs: Joey Crawford, Mike Callahan, and Jason Phillips.

[BillMc]

I'll be just as happy with a 1 pt win.

This. 1 point or 50 point, they all count the same.

[DPG21920]

TP goes for 25+ tonight..

[EVAY]

TP goes for 25+ tonight..

from your lips to god's ears.

[Nathan89]

Just want the Spurs to be more aggressive about trying to score in the paint. Hopefully the thunder pick up some fouls and the spurs get more free-throws than last game. Need TP's floater to be on point. Need Kawhi to step up his aggression.

[Budkin]

Attack, attack, attack, tbh.

[look_at_g_shred]

from your lips to god's ears.
:lmao

[look_at_g_shred]

Go at Ibaka not away from him

[monkeypunk]

Need Kawhi to make his mark in this game. Both directions.

[ElNono]

:flag:

[BillMc]

http://i1.cpcache.com/product_zoom/261154964/go_spurs_go_onesie.jpg?height=250&width=250&padToSquare=true

[Jimmy Early]

Yep, after I heard he applied a paste onto the strained calf area made up of ground-up cloves, larvae from the Giant African Fruit Beetle, and Rhinocerous semen. Then he rubbed 2 yak bones together while chanting outside for an hour at 3pm. Then, he wrung the sweat from his dashiki into a clay bowl and drank it all; I knew it was a 7 game series.


I lost count of the ridiculous stereotypes at 10, Mr. Sterling.

[BatManu20]

Not only will it be different in SA, it will be different tonight!!

Your sig is quite distracting :tu

[TampaDude]

San Antonio @ Oklahoma City: Joe Crawford Mike Callahan Jason Phillips

Rather have Joe Crawford than Tony Brothers, tbh. We can win with Crawford running the crew.

I expect Brothers for Game 5 back in SA, though.

[Budkin]

Spurs need to get Ibaka and 2012 out of their heads and remember they are out to avenge 6.

[Dex]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/130618153431-san-antonio-spurs-silver-dancers-170354866-single-image-cut.jpg

Apparently, Serge Ibaka is walking back through those doors, after all. Just another addition to a long list of things for Scotty Brooks to be wrong about.

Fueled by the return of their defensive stalwart (and a third quarter that was record-breaking for all the wrong reasons), the Thunder finally found their footing in Oklahoma City and took a swing back at the Spurs. As dominating as the Spurs looked in their first two victories, the loss had to be as sobering as getting out of the hot tub and jumping into the swimming pool.

Fortunately, this was expected. The Spurs suspected Ibaka might find a miracle cure, and they knew that Oklahoma City was going to ride the energy of its frothing crowd. The execution was disappointing, but it's not like the team didn't see that freight train coming. The important thing for them to remember is that they are still up 2-1 in this series, still have home court advantage, and still have a chance tonight to strike back and put the Thunder on their heels just when they are winding up for another haymaker.

Remember 2012. Don't be haunted by it.

FTT.

5.

[heyheymymy]

:flag:

[EVAY]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/130618153431-san-antonio-spurs-silver-dancers-170354866-single-image-cut.jpg

Apparently, Serge Ibaka is walking back through those doors, after all. Just another addition to a long list of things for Scotty Brooks to be wrong about.

Fueled by the return of their defensive stalwart (and a third quarter that was record-breaking for all the wrong reasons), the Thunder finally found their footing in Oklahoma City and took a swing back at the Spurs. As dominating as the Spurs looked in their first two victories, the loss had to be as sobering as getting out of the hot tub and jumping into the swimming pool.

Fortunately, this was expected. The Spurs suspected Ibaka might find a miracle cure, and they knew that Oklahoma City was going to ride the energy of its frothing crowd. The execution was disappointing, but it's not like the team didn't see that freight train coming. The important thing for them to remember is that they are still up 2-1 in this series, still have home court advantage, and still have a chance tonight to strike back and put the Thunder on their heels just when they are winding up for another haymaker.

Remember 2012. Don't be haunted by it.

FTT.

5.

Well said.

[BillMc]

Your sig is quite distracting :tu

Hopefully in a good way. :)

[heyheymymy]

Dex with the goods per par

[Cry Havoc]

So fucking amped for tonight. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

[timtonymanu]

So fucking amped for tonight. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

THIS

[BillMc]

So fucking amped for tonight. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Yep. Can't even sleep and it's 2 AM here.

[Kool Bob Love]

:flag:

[Budkin]

Just heard on Ticket 760 where Geoff Sheen is talking to Bill Shoening... apparently Timmy is already out on the floor shooting (earliest Bill has ever seen him out there) and he's shaved his head. It's on bitches.

[BillMc]

Just heard on Ticket 760 where Geoff Sheen is talking to Bill Shoening... apparently Timmy is already out on the floor shooting (earliest Bill has ever seen him out there) and he's shaved his head. It's on bitches.

He's going Caine from Kung Fu on their asses.:toast

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Kung_Fu_wanted_poster.jpg

[Texas_Ranger]

Bald Tim is always a good thing!

Kick their ass Spurs!!

[peacemaker885]

GO GO GO!

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BorZMz7CYAAp8x0.jpg:large

[Spur|n|Austin]

Just heard on Ticket 760 where Geoff Sheen is talking to Bill Shoening... apparently Timmy is already out on the floor shooting (earliest Bill has ever seen him out there) and he's shaved his head. It's on bitches.

:ihit

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BordGgYIYAAMwL3.jpg:large

[BillMc]

Video of an SI Guy talking about Game 4. Not much new here but figured I'd share the link.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/nba/20140527/2014-05-27-clip03.sportsillustrated/?eref=sihp

[jkid12456]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10311741_10152051873526981_1699046277756413066_n.j pg

God Patty has one of the stylish and smoothest jumpers in the league.

[hater]

OKC by 15

Ibaka with 28

[BillMc]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10311741_10152051873526981_1699046277756413066_n.j pg

God Patty has one of the stylish and smoothest jumpers in the league.

Offensive foul. :)

[jkid12456]

Spurs gonna win but only by a thread. maybe like 2-4 points...

[look_at_g_shred]

Enough is enough! Let's get this win tonight guys !!!

[Dex]

Dex with the goods per par

:toast

[Ron Swanson]

OKC by 15

Ibaka with 28

At halftime.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BorZMz7CYAAp8x0.jpg:large
:tu Me and kawhi dress somewhat similar

[Dex]

:tu Me and kawhi dress somewhat similar

I also wear pants and a shirt.

[cd98]

Probably going to miss the game when the storm knocks out my cable.

[RD2191]

I also wear pants and a shirt.
I thought I was the only one...

[ducks]

Spurs-Thunder Game 4: Three big questions

.

Dan Devine
By Dan Devine
3 hours ago

Ball Don't Lie













.


.





..
.




Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, in the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoff series in the Western Conference finals, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 106-97
.
View photo

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9), of France, in the second quarter of Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoff series in the Western Conference finals, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 106-97. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

.
After two blowout losses that made them look like overmatched also-rans that would barely break the San Antonio Spurs' stride on the way to a second straight NBA finals berth, the Oklahoma City Thunder got back into the Western Conference finals in a big way with a Game 3 win that welcomed the injured Serge Ibaka to the series and gave some Spurs fans an unsettling case of 2012 déjà vu. After another day of rest and treatment, the Thunder's shot-blocking power forward is reportedly feeling fine and raring to go in Game 4; can Oklahoma City keep riding the wave of energy he brought to even things up, or will San Antonio return to form to take command of the series?

Here are three things to keep in mind as you tune in on Tuesday night.

1. Can Tony Parker bounce back?

That's one silver lining for San Antonio fans: Their point guard can't be much worse than he was in Game 3, when he shot just 4 for 13 from the floor with four turnovers, including cough-ups on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter, and scored just two points on 10 drives to the basket, according to NBA.com's SportVU player tracking data. The combination of a strong on-ball defensive effort by Thunder counterpart Russell Westbrook and the lurking presence of Ibaka behind the first level seemed to throw off Parker's rhythm and disrupt his balance from nearly the opening tip, and he never regained his footing.

“He's our best player,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Parker. “He's got to play better.”

With Ibaka back patrolling the paint and taking away the kind of easy drives and layup opportunities that Parker and his teammates saw in Games 1 and 2, the key to Tony bouncing back could be getting off the schneid from midrange.

Parker has struggled at the rim and in the paint whenever Ibaka's been on the floor for most of the last three seasons — he's just 40 for 94 (42.6 percent) on shots taken inside 9 feet when Ibaka's on the court over 17 regular- and postseason games from 2011-12 through this series, according to NBA.com's stat tool. It doesn't matter whether he gets all the way to the rim or pulls up in the lane for his patented floater; he still has all kinds of trouble converting looks when Ibaka's in the middle. If screeners like Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter can give Parker enough space in the pick-and-roll for him to step into a couple of open midrange jumpers early, and Parker can cash in on them, it could go a long way toward helping him find the feel for the game that eluded him throughout Game 3.

Seeing some jumpers splash through would surely be a sight for Parker's sore eyes after he's gone just 3 for 13 (23.1 percent) on midrange attempts in this series after hitting them at a 42.1 percent clip during the regular season. Making himself more of a consistent scoring threat could also alleviate some of the Thunder's defensive pressure on Parker's teammates, making it more difficult for Oklahoma City to dial in on the Spurs' other shooters and interior scorers.

"I take a lot of responsibility," Parker said. "That's my job on this team, to get everything going."

If he can't do so on Tuesday, the Thunder will stand a much better chance of sending the series back to San Antonio knotted at two games apiece.




..
View gallery
.
Scott Brooks watches over his team during the second half of Game 2. (AP/Eric Gay)

2. Will Scott Brooks stick with the lineup changes that were so successful in Game 3?

While Ibaka's return was the major headline-grabber, there were several other personnel adjustments made by Thunder head coach Scott Brooks that worked out beautifully, too.

After going scoreless on nine field-goal attempts in the first two games of this series, Thabo Sefolosha took a seat in favor of Reggie Jackson. The playmaking reserve point guard repaid Brooks' trust by scoring 15 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and a steal in 37 minutes, and the reconfigured starting lineup — Ibaka, Jackson, Westbrook, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant — outscored San Antonio by seven points in 10 total minutes of work. With plodding veteran center Perkins fighting foul trouble, Brooks leaned on rookie big man Steven Adams, who battled Duncan on the block and paired with Ibaka to prevent San Antonio dribble penetration, chipping in seven points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 27 1/2 minutes.

Little-used swingman Jeremy Lamb, the 2012 first-round draft pick the Thunder received from the Houston Rockets in the James Harden deal, added six points on 3-for-5 shooting with three rebounds in 16 1/2 minutes. Oklahoma City took advantage of its depth on the wings and in the backcourt, with Brooks sliding Durant to power forward a bit more often, with impressive results — lineups featuring either Ibaka or Adams at the five with Durant at the four alongside some combination of OKC wings (Westbrook, Jackson, Lamb, Caron Butler or Derek Fisher) outscored San Antonio by 14 points in 17 minutes of work, according to NBA.com's lineup data, as the Thunder blitzed the Spurs' defense to the tune of 108.6 points per 100 possessions, which would've outstripped even their own top-10 full-season offensive efficiency.

Brooks has proven himself more willing to mix and match his personnel this postseason than he's typically given credit for, most notably in sitting down Sefolosha in favor of Butler in Games 6 and 7 of Oklahoma City's first-round win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

"I get knocked as a coach that we don't make changes," he said Monday. "We've won 60 games for a lot of years or in the high 50s, and our medical staff deserves a lot of credit because we don't have guys that get hurt."

While Brooks has been more willing to change things up as needed this postseason, he has also at times seemed uncomfortable with shifting away from players, like Perkins and Sefolosha, whom he trusts on the defensive end but who limit Oklahoma City's offensive effectiveness and put more pressure on Durant and Westbrook to do all of the scoring and playmaking. If the Spurs open up with more effective offensive play on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see if Brooks is willing to stay with lineups that have proven capable of scoring in bunches but that might spring leaks defensively, or if he'll hew closer to his more conservative roots.

"Like I tell all the guys, you have to be ready. You have to be ready to play," he said. "It's a cliché, but it actually happens. It's something that [Lamb] has to be ready, Perry [Jones III] has to be ready, Nick [Collison], Thabo, whoever we call on, they have to be ready to play high‑level minutes.

"I think our guys have adjusted well the last two times we've [changed our lineup," Brooks added. "We might have to do it again."

Brooks' definition of "have to" — which has at times differed from that of many other observers — could wind up being pretty important in Game 4.




..
View gallery
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Kawhi Leonard rises up. (Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE/Getty Images)

3. Can the Spurs hit some open jumpers?

With Ibaka back in the lineup on Sunday, the Thunder defense seemed stingier not only on the interior, but also outside the paint, as San Antonio shot just 6 for 23 (26.1 percent) from between the lane and the 3-point arc en route to just their seventh sub-40-percent shooting performance of the season.

"We were not sharp enough offensively to find open teammates, so every shot was a little more contested and uncomfortable," said Manu Ginobili, the only Spur to get it going offensively in Game 3 (a team-high 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including a 6-for-9 mark from 3-point land).

The thing is, that's not exactly true. According to the SportVU tracking data, San Antonio actually took 41 uncontested shots — defined as a field-goal attempt taken with no defender within four feet of the shooter — in Game 3, their most of the series. They only knocked down 13 of them, though, for a 31.7 percent rate that stands as San Antonio's lowest of these playoffs.

Not all open shots are created equal, of course; some of those attempts came late in the shot clock, others came with defenders closing but just outside that four-foot range, etc. But when reviewing the tape, the eye test generally backs up the numbers, with Kawhi Leonard (a 40 percent 3-point shooter in the postseason prior to Game 3) rimming out three good open looks, Danny Green (51 percent in the playoffs pre-Game 3, including 11 for 15 in Games 1 and 2) front-rimming several clean pull-up triples, and Boris Diaw (42 percent in the playoffs before Game 3) missing five open jumpers, including three long balls.

That trio combined to go 5 for 21 on what SportVU identified as uncontested looks. If just a couple more of those go down, the Spurs might've been right back in the swing of things, even with Ibaka back, even with Adams flourishing in the middle, and even with Durant and Westbrook getting to the line seemingly at will.

"They trusted Ibaka and Adams to do a great job, which they did, altering shots and blocking shots," Green said Monday. "But for the most part, I think we got some good open looks. Just didn't make many."

That can't continue on Tuesday

[Floyd Pacquiao]

I also wear pants and a shirt.
Yeah but do you wear it with the swag me and kawhi have? Probably not....

[EVAY]

I think the key is going to be getting good enough screens to free Parker for shots.

[TE]

I thought I was the only one...
How you been bro

[BatManu20]

471439284583407616

[RD2191]

How you been bro
Not too bad, in and out of the hospital with my nephew. Took him to childrens in Edinburg and they can't seem to figure out shit so thinking of taking him to Harlingen. See what happens. And you?

[BatManu20]

471438986079404032

[BillMc]

471438986079404032

Can't wait for this game.

[TE]

Not too bad, in and out of the hospital with my nephew. Took him to childrens in Edinburg and they can't seem to figure out shit so thinking of taking him to Harlingen. See what happens. And you?
I was at the Children's hospital the day before. I was meeting with a few physicians regarding a summer project. Might've seen you there but I doubt it.

Hope he gets better, bro...I'll be sending some good vibes that way.

I'm just waiting for the year to end. Three more days and I get a long break to do side projects/travel.

[slick'81]

And a tornado warning for sa in effect lets get this party started

[Mugen]

Would love for the Spurs to win this game, but it's going to be very, very tough. Just gotta get over the mental edge of playing in/against OKC. I hope they play with a better, smarter effort than they did in Game 3.

Rebounds and turnovers tbh.

:flag:

[BatManu20]

471441586212323328

[TE]

And a tornado warning for sa in effect lets get this party started
That shit is heading our way. I'm glad it'll get here around the time the game is over.

[RD2191]

I was at the Children's hospital the day before. I was meeting with a few physicians regarding a summer project. Might've seen you there but I doubt it.

Hope he gets better, bro...I'll be sending some good vibes that way.

I'm just waiting for the year to end. Three more days and I get a long break to do side projects/travel.
Was wearing a black Vans Tee and a black New Era cap, maybe you saw me. Lol. And thanks man, I really appreciate it.

Any place in particular? I'm heading to Colorado Springs in the summer, haven't been there in awhile.

[BatManu20]

471442054916997120

[RD2191]

Son of a bitch, tornado warning in Hondo. Hope my RV doesn't get blown away.:pctoss

[TE]

Was wearing a black Vans Tee and a black New Era cap, maybe you saw me. Lol. And thanks man, I really appreciate it.

Any place in particular? I'm heading to Colorado Springs in the summer, haven't been there in awhile.
California. San Francisco more specifically.

[Nathan89]

471438986079404032

Looks like the shots Ibaka gets tbh

[RD2191]

California. San Francisco more specifically.
No way, I'm planning on heading that way too. They have the best raw denim shops there. Self Edge in particular.

[TE]

No way, I'm planning on heading that way too. They have the best raw denim shops there. Self Edge in particular.
Let me know when you go. I'm going mid-June, tbh.

[MVPCues]

Spurs getting two and a half. I want to pop, no pun intended.

[Capster]

Would love for the Spurs to win this game, but it's going to be very, very tough. Just gotta get over the mental edge of playing in/against OKC. I hope they play with a better, smarter effort than they did in Game 3.

You hit the nail on the head Mugen!!! GO Spurs!!!! And somebody PLEEEEEESE kick Ikbaka in the leg!!! :bang

:flag:

[ElNono]

We're going to rip their hearts out... :flag:

[Mugen]

how about dat smooch, Cap? :married:

[RD2191]

Let me know when you go. I'm going mid-June, tbh.
Yeah, for sure.

[Mugen]

rob, lemme know when you're in SF as well. We can hit Castro and show off your new jeans tbh.

[ElNono]

I'm relieved to know none of you were Eiiot Rodgers (aka the "virgin killer")...

[BillMc]

Spurs 111-Thunder 109

[jkid12456]

Spurs 111-Thunder 109

[Baam]

471442054916997120

:lmao Pop is tired of getting schooled by his padawan...

[RD2191]

rob, lemme know when you're in SF as well. We can hit Castro and show off your new jeans tbh.
:lolI enjoy raw denim and old fashioned style brands live Levis Vintage, Pike Brothers, and Rising Sun. I ain't no faggot though.

[Mugen]

Hopefully, Pop's two year strategy of giving Ibaka open jumpers ends tonight tbh.

[Two10Whitey]

I'm scared :depressed

[Mugen]

I'm relieved to know none of you were Eiiot Rodgers (aka the "virgin killer")...

Has Jacob posted recently?

[HI-FI]

rob, lemme know when you're in SF as well. We can hit Castro and show off your new jeans tbh.
:lol
robdiaz gonna receive some rippin and tearin.

[HI-FI]

I'm relieved to know none of you were Eiiot Rodgers (aka the "virgin killer")...
:lol
I thought it was Clipper Nation. it does seem like a ST sociopath though.

[TheGoldStandard]

Pumped for the game.. can't wait to see how they come out and the intensity level of the starters.. Hopefully Patty gets it going early when he comes off the bench. Will be eager to see if they double when they play the pick n roll with Ibake catching it at the elbow. If Tiago or Diaw just get into his space he'll be forced to at least put it on the floor and work for his baskets.

[RD2191]

:lol
robdiaz gonna receive some rippin and tearin.
No, I don't like tears on my jeans, tbh. :lol

[HI-FI]

No, I don't like tears on my jeans, tbh. :lol
your raw denim going to have that Harvey Milk jizz all over it tbh.

[RD2191]

your raw denim going to have that Harvey Milk jizz all over it tbh.
No way son. I'm just gonna buy a few items and book it to Nor-Cal.

[BatManu20]

471449908340596736

[BatManu20]

TNT giving Spurs too much love right now imo. Just tip the ball already and let's go win this thing :ihit

:flag:

[TheGoldStandard]

I want to see Ibaka cry tonight..

[TE]

Damn...what's that warmup track playing rn?

[jkid12456]

Refs better not fuck Patty again, cuz this is his night my niggs.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

NBA TNT crew just jizzed all about Manu. Must've been porn for our resident Manutards :lmao

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Although, Shaq called him a "role player" :rollin :rollin

"blah blah blah..but he always knew his role"

[Ron Swanson]

Let's beat their asses tonight. I'm tired of their shit.

[Malice]

NBA TNT crew just jizzed all about Manu. Must've been porn for our resident Manutards :lmao
So I take it your Manu sig is meant to be ironic then? Ok...

[ImDaNuts]

Good luck guys. Should be your usual controlled game by the refs hopefully favoring OKC :toast

[Robz4000]

C'mon Spurs, could really use a win tonight...

[timtonymanu]

Good luck guys. Should be your usual controlled game by the refs hopefully favoring OKC :toast

Good luck :toast. I'm personally terrified. Hopefully we end that losing streak in OKC tonight.

[soxxx]

Westbrook looks like he didn't sleep last night. Nerves perhaps?

[ElNono]

Has Jacob posted recently?

Good question...

[jARS mEsH sEt]

So I take it your Manu sig is meant to be ironic then? Ok...

:lmao

:rollin :rolin

Ask ElNono tbh

[UZER]

Hopefully, Pop's two year strategy of giving Ibaka open jumpers ends tonight tbh.

:lol no shit

[TheGoldStandard]

Westbrook looks like he didn't sleep last night. Nerves perhaps?

Someone told him to dig a hole, so he did

[BillMc]

Good luck guys. Should be your usual controlled game by the refs hopefully favoring OKC :toast

Good luck. :toast Hopefully it's a great game.

[TheGoldStandard]

If I see Tiago roll away from him when they set that little pick I'm going to be so pissed..

[ElNono]

NBA TNT crew just jizzed all about Manu. Must've been porn for our resident Manutards :lmao

damn, missed it... hope it makes it to NBA.com

[ElNono]

:lmao

:rollin :rolin

Ask ElNono tbh

:lol looks good on you, tbh

[UZER]

I have a feeling Manu is gonna save us tonight. He had that look in his eye after the game....The one where he throws a bad pass into the first row.

But seriously I expect Manu to bring it tonight.

[TheGoldStandard]

I have a feeling Manu is gonna save us tonight. He had that look in his eye...The one where he throws a bad pass into the first row.

HAHAHA... You know at the end of the 2nd he'll be jacking up a fade away 3

[BatManu20]

Anyone else getting the feeling Durant is going for 40 tonight tbh..

[ElNono]

If Manu is trying to do too much, something isn't going right... let's hope everybody shows up. I don't mind a low scoring game from him if we get everyone else involved.

[Strategic]

damn, missed it... hope it makes it to NBA.comCan Manu really pass a Bill Russell playoff record tonight?

[mVp]

Just win tonight please... I don't care how, just win this fucking game...

[ElNono]

Can Manu really pass a Bill Russell playoff record tonight?

Bill wasn't that good, tbh

[.G.]

40 uncontested shots in GM3. Encouraging. Hope Parker and Splitter have a strong night. Compete against that fucking Congolese pogo stick, too. Box that fucker out.

Volcano/blue dreams time.

[BillMc]

Bill wasn't that good, tbh

indubitably

[SupremeGuy]

Anyone else getting the feeling Durant is going for 40 tonight tbh..That depends entirely on the refs, tbh.

[gospursgojas]

Tony bros tonight?

[Malice]

Spurs need this game BAD. And so do I tbh...lol

[siraulo23]

OKC takes game 4, but spurs take game 5

[.G.]

Tony bros tonight?

Elmer Fudd

[Ron Swanson]

Tony bros tonight?


Nope, Joey C.

[Strategic]

Bill wasn't that good, tbhShowing off your age I see.

[TDfan2007]

I just want to see energy and ball movement. This team is next to unbeatable when those two factors are present.

[jkid12456]

Who was that disgusting ref that called an offensive foul on Patty?

Im going to make his life miserable:hat

[gospursgojas]

Joey c is good news

[playblair]

dont let mills defend jackon/lamb ....................

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Biggest game of the season! GO SPURS GO!

[RD2191]

Play Cojo, tbh.

[crc21209]

Just WIN! :flag:

[weebo]

Already so tired of the okc knob slobbering....just win Spurs and that'll be the end of all this talk...

[playblair]

Play Cojo, tbh.

playcojo..............cojo>>>>>>>beli/mills....................cojo=defense..........

[RD2191]

:flag:Prolly gonna get blown out but oh well.

[RD2191]

playcojo..............cojo>>>>>>>beli/mills....................cojo=defense..........
:toast

[jkid12456]

playcojo..............cojo>>>>>>>beli/mills....................cojo=defense..........

:rollin

[jARS mEsH sEt]

damn, missed it... hope it makes it to NBA.com

Barkley raved about Ginobili per par, and Kenny said Manu was a "top 3 shooting guard in the league for 6 or 7 years"

[TDfan2007]

Hopefully we see more of Westbrick tonight.

[Two10Whitey]

LETS GO!!!@!@!$@$@%#$@%!!!#!@#@!!@ !!! !! ! !!!! !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZH9ebAZouk

[gameFACE]

I'm 50-50 on this game. I had predicted a W but it's an iffy one. First five inures will tell.

FTT

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Bill wasn't that good, tbh

That shit shouldn't be blue :lmao

[timtonymanu]

No changes to the lineup

[Dex]

It's go time, boys.

[KaiRMD1]

Gonna watch this shit on mute

[slick'81]

Speculation is over now we see what the spurs will do

[Ron Swanson]

Let's do this.

[TE]

Fuck yeah

[.G.]

Who was that disgusting ref that called an offensive foul on Patty?

Im going to make his life miserable:hat

Tom Washington?

http://www.usatodaysportsimages.com/image/thumb/250-225/5357482.jpg

[Capt Bringdown]

Ibaka owns the Spurs. Spurs might be done, barring a miracle or injury.

[Spurs Brazil]

Kawhi 33333333333333

[RD2191]

KAWHI

[SupremeGuy]

Kawhi!

[KaiRMD1]

F that, watching it in spanish, see how much these guys suck the thunder's jock

[Two10Whitey]

KAWHI IS GOING TO FINGERBANG THE THUNDERS GF'S.

[RD2191]

TP BABY

[RD2191]

SUGAR K

[davidbowie]

Just bet 300 bucks I don't have on us to win. We got this!!! Spurs by 10!!!!!!!

[DatBoyGood]

Lets go.

[MVPCues]

That was a 2 ... Or not

[Ron Swanson]

Kawhi!

[RD2191]

:lmaorefs

[Spurs da champs]

Kiwi with a great start.

[SupremeGuy]

Holy shit Leonard!

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Well, Kawhi playing well, refs can't let that happen, time for him to get in foul trouble.

[SupremeGuy]

What the fuck did they call on Leonard?

[spurspokesman]

Leonard feeling it

[.G.]

Those silly rednecks still on their feet?

[$pursDynasty]

good start keep it up

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Ugh Splitter.

[baseline bum]

What the fuck did they call on Leonard?

Joey gotta get him out of there early

[ontheraise]

that was a goaltending by ibaka

[capek]

:lol oh Splitter, never change

[Spurs21Fan4Ever]

Getting blocked was bad enough, but not getting back on defense really pissed me off there. Splitter needs to wake up!

[spurspokesman]

Does splitter ever go hard at the rim

[RD2191]

Green on one of his infamous cold streaks.

[baseline bum]

Parker looking so much better tonight

[baseline bum]

Fuck Bobby Jackson!

[.G.]

Jackson hurt?

I am clapping like a motherfucker in my living room :lol