Spurs vs. Thunder: Game 3 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs continue to frustrate the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offensive attack, as they rode a strong defensive effort and clutch free-throw shooting to a 100-96 victory and a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals.  

The Spurs struggled on offense throughout the game, though the duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard continued to find success. They combined for 55 points and 19 rebounds in the win. 

This was a game in which so many little things played a big role down the stretch. Leonard made the biggest play of the game, getting an offensive rebound with less than 25 seconds remaining and San Antonio leading 96-94. 

Tony Parker got fouled moments later and made both of his free throws to extend the Spurs’ lead. The Thunder responded with a basket from Dion Waiters to make it a 98-96 game, but they took so long to find an opening that they left themselves just 4.8 seconds on the clock. 

Tim Duncan made a terrific inbounds pass, lobbing the ball into Leonard who sprinted around to take two seconds off the clock before finally getting fouled. He made both free throws to seal the win. 

Parker added 19 points, his best scoring output since an April 12 win against Oklahoma City. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich got minimal production from the seven other players who entered the game, as they combined for just 26 points. 

Serge Ibaka, who has drawn the primary task of guarding Aldridge, isn’t doing anything to disrupt the San Antonio star’s rhythm:

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ESPN.com’s Royce Young almost sounded sympathetic to Ibaka’s plight so far this series:

Honestly, I’m not sure what else you can ask Ibaka to do. He’s making Aldridge work, but tough shots keep dropping.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 7, 2016

CBS Sports’ Matt Moore even noted that Aldridge’s stats in Game 3 were worse than the previous two games:

Aldridge has as many missed shots in this game as he did in the entirety of Game 2, more than Game 1, and has still been terrific.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 7, 2016

This wound up being another frustrating night for the Thunder, who became notorious in the regular season for blowing leads in the fourth quarter. On Friday, they made a comeback midway through the last quarter after long periods of being stymied. 

Every time the Thunder looked like they were on the verge of taking control in the first 36 minutes, the Spurs had an answer. There were two moments in the third quarter where the pendulum was swinging in Oklahoma City’s direction. 

Ibaka cut the Thunder’s deficit to two at 58-56 with a three-pointer, but Tony Parker answered with a three of his own on San Antonio’s next possession to extend San Antonio’s lead back to five. 

Moments later, with the Thunder trailing 61-57, Russell Westbrook was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free …

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