2012 NBA Playoffs

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio reserves, led by Manu Ginobili, combined for 52 points and the Spurs extended their winning streak to 19 games with a 101-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at the AT&T Center.

Ginobili, the NBA's top sixth man in 2008, scored 26 points, including 11 in the final period, Gary Neal had 12, Tiago Splitter had nine and Stephen Jackson five as the Spurs bench outscored their Thunder counterparts by 15 points.

The four reserves even outscored the team's starters by two points. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan were the only starters in double digits, with 18 and 16 points respectively, while Boris Diaw had eight and Kawhi Leonard seven markers.

"They got us on our heels. We were not aggressive," Ginobili told nba.com. "And in the second half, we did have it."

The Spurs have remained undefeated in nine postseason games and extended their winning streak to 19 games dating back to the regular season. The 2001 Los Angeles Lakers brought the same winning streak into the playoffs en route to winning the championship.

The Spurs gun for a 2-0 lead in Game 2 Tuesday at San Antonio.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 27 points while point guard Russell Westbrook scored 17 on 7-of-21 shooting. James Harden, this year's best sixth man, contributed 19 points off the bench while veteran Derek Fisher added 13.

It was a bitter defeat for the Thunder, who led by 71-62 after closing the third period with a 10-3 run sparked by a three-pointer and lay-up by Harden.

The Spurs reserves then sparked a 20-5 run in the final period, capped by a three-pointer by Neal, to grab an 82-76 lead.

San Antonio started clawing its way back with two straight layups and a foul shot by Splitter while Neal contributed four points before Parker tied the count at 73 with a jumper with eight minutes remaining.

Six straight points by Ginobili and a three-pointer by Neal gave the Spurs a more comfortable 82-76 cushion which they padded to 94-84 after four straight points by Duncan.

A last-ditch effort by the Thunder brought them to within 99-95 after a three pointer by Harden but Jackson sealed the win with two foul shots.

 

Hear from Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker after the game

 

Hear from Scott Brooks and Kevin Durant after their loss

 

 

Ginobili, Reserves Key Spurs Game 1 Win Over Thunder