Spurs demolish Thunder for 2-0 series edge
Tony Parker scored 22 points, Danny Green made seven 3-pointers and added 21, and the San Antonio Spurs used a dominant third quarter to rout the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 on Wednesday night in San Antonio to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Tim Duncan added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Manu Ginobili and Boris Diaw had 11 points apiece off the bench.
The Spurs blew a 2-0 lead against the Thunder in the 2012 conference finals, but they look ready to keep rolling right into the NBA Finals this time.
“We just did our job. We won our first two games at home and I’m sure they’re going to go back and say we have to do our job and win two games at home,” Parker said.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each had 15 points, but the third-quarter barrage made spectators of both – not that they accomplished much when they did play. The star duo combined to shoot 13 for 40, including 4 for 14 in the third quarter.
Game 3 is Sunday at Oklahoma City.
Playing without Serge Ibaka and given two days to adjust to dropping Game 1 by 17 points, the Thunder turned in a worse performance.
Parker and Green each had eight points in the third quarter as San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City 33-18 in the period.
It was a shocking turn for the Thunder, who started well.
“It definitely doesn’t feel good and it shouldn’t,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “I hope our locker doesn’t feel good. You shouldn’t feel good. We got our butts kicked. But we have a good opportunity to come back and win Game 3.”
San Antonio closed the first half on a 25-8 run.
Oklahoma City went scoreless for 2 minutes midway through the third quarter as San Antonio built its lead to 76-50 on a pair of free throws by Duncan with 6:20 remaining.
George has concussion
Indiana star Paul George has been diagnosed with a concussion and will go through league-mandated procedures before he can return to the Eastern Conference finals. The series resumes Saturday in Miami.
George revealed after Tuesday’s Game 2 that he blacked out briefly, but Indiana’s medical staff was not aware of that before he was deemed able to return to the game.
T-Wolves look at Joerger
Two people with knowledge of the situation said that the Minnesota Timberwolves received permission to interview Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger for their head coaching opening.
Joerger went 50-32 in his first season as coach of the Grizzlies. He is a native of Staples, Minnesota, and went to college at Division II Minnesota State, Moorhead.
Kings’ arena approved
Sacramento’s City Council approved a financing plan for the Kings NBA franchise, clearing the way for construction on a $477 million downtown arena.
The council voted 7-2 on Tuesday after a lengthy meeting. The effort was championed by Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former three-time NBA All-Star.
Under the deal, the city would be responsible for a $223 million subsidy. The Kings will contribute $254 million.
Construction will break ground this summer and open in time for the 2016-17 season.
Stephenson fined for flop
The NBA fined Indiana’s Lance Stephenson $5,000 for flopping in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Stephenson was chasing Miami’s LeBron James as James dribbled up the court in the third quarter Tuesday. Stephenson lightly bumped into James, then fell backward to the court as if it had been a real collision.