Spurs clobber Thunder for 2-0 edge

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

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 decimate the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-77 on Wednesday night, rolling to 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.

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 performed worse.

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.

Oklahoma City opened more aggressive on both ends, especially defensively. The physicality disrupted the Spurs early and frustrated them emotionally.

Duncan was issued a technical with about 5 minutes left in the first quarter after complaining when Ed Malloy ruled he threw a hip into Durant.

It turned out the Spurs veteran had little to worry about, as the Thunder finished just 4 for 9 on free throws.

The Thunder scored five straight to open the game, with Westbrook’s 3 capping the early run and producing what would become their largest lead of the series at 5-0.

Oklahoma City did not go under on pick-and-rolls as they did in Game 1, which allowed Parker more scoring opportunities. He took four shots in the opening five minutes. His first two baskets came on driving layups, including running right down the middle of the lane with Thabo Sefolosha trailing by a couple of steps.

San Antonio continued to struggle with its shot, but righted itself with offensive rebounding.

San Antonio closed the first half on a 25-8 run.

Green hit consecutive 3s to extend the Spurs’ advantage to 55-44 with a minute left in the first half. San Antonio later rebounded a missed layup by Ginobili and Parker’s errant 3-pointer, leading to a high-arcing 3 by Ginobili for a 58-44 lead. Ginobili then drew a charge on Westbrook’s 3 on the ensuing possession.

Durant and Westbrook opened the game 9 for 26 in the first half. Durant had one field goal in the final 16 minutes of the first half.