OKC puts Spurs on brink

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SAN ANTONIO — For the second time this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs on their home floor, becoming the first team to do so this season. And for the second time in the second-round series between the Thunder and the Spurs, a non-call had an impact on the game.

With the Thunder up by 92-91 with 9.3 seconds to play, Kawhi Leonard grabbed Russell Westbrook from behind to stop the clock, but officials didn’t call a foul, so the Thunder All-Star easily drove and scored. Westbrook was also fouled at the basket, which was called:

“[Leonard] fouled him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It’s pretty obvious that he fouled him. Sometimes you get a call, sometimes you don’t. Tough game.”

Westbrook’s And-1 closed this game out, giving the Thunder the 95-91 victory and the 3-2 series lead. OKC can finish off the series on its home floor in Thursday’s Game 6.

While a crucial moment of the game, that non-call wasn’t the deciding factor. Westbrook was dominant, nearly recording a triple-double and scoring 35 points. Kevin Durant poured in 23 points, and the Thunder got another strong game from Steven Adams, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

San Antonio had several opportunities to win the game. The Spurs even had a 13-point lead at one point. But execution down the stretch doomed the Spurs, with Tony Parker missing both a free throw and a jumper late in the game.

Five things to know from Oklahoma City’s Game 5 victory:

More like Bestbrook: Russell Westbrook had eight turnovers, picked up two careless fouls in the first half and got two more after the break. And he took 27 shots.

Yet he had a heck of a game.

Keeping his foot on the gas pedal all game, Westbrook constantly attacked the basket, driving straight through the heart of San Antonio’s defense. If he didn’t see an opportunity to score, …

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