Indeed, the Oklahoma City Thunder looked lost without Serge Ibaka manning the paint. The San Antonio Spurs abused their advantage down low getting 21 points from Tim Duncan in the first half and ran away with a 122-105 victory on Monday night (Tuesday morning Australia) in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
The Spurs' leader ended up with 27 points shooting an efficient 11-of-19 field goals plus 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Without Ibaka, it appears that San Antonio will look to their veteran more in this series.
The rest of the Spurs were as aggressive. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green had 16 markers apiece and Tony Parker was contented in setting the table with 12 dimes on top of 14 points. Manu Ginobili had 18 points off the bench.
As expected, OKC's dyanamic duo got their numbers. Kevin Durant had 28 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Russell Westbrook ad 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. However, the paid had a combined 10 turnovers and as a team the Thunder turned the ball over 16 times.
And also as expected, defense was the problem for OKC without Ibaka; they allowed the Spurs to shoot 57.5 per cent from the field (50/87 FG) and 66 points inside the paint.
View the slideshow for more images from Game 1 of the Thunder-Spurs match-up.
May 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs forward Marco Belinelli (3) and Danny Green (right) defend in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (front) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (behind) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Caron Butler (left) and Kevin Durant (35) defend in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili (left) knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (center) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) celebrates a basket and a foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) is fouled while shooting by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. ReutersMay 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (right) posts up against Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (left) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Reuters
