Spurs’ Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet note how well the team played to secure the win over the Thunder in the fourth period.
SAN ANTONIO — The Thunder came into Tuesday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs ranked among the best offensive and defensive teams.
Steals per game, Thunder ranked second. Three-point percentage, Thunder ranks fifth. Points scored, they rank second.
You get the picture here: the Thunder are very good, but against the Spurs in the second meeting of the season, it was the young San Antonio team that once again flipped the script and showed why they might have Oklahoma City’s number this season.
It was the fourth period, inside a loud Frost Bank Center, that summed up how much of a problem the Spurs might be for the defending NBA champions.
San Antonio outscored OKC 43-28 in the final frame to cruise to the 130-110 win and hand the Thunder two of their four losses on the season.
And it began with defense and playing together to shut the door on any Thunder run back against the Spurs.
“I think it (fourth period), the biggest thing we did is just focus on defense. I think just allowing us to get stops and just really just being connected in terms of what we’re trying to do,” said veteran Harrison Barnes.
San Antonio was able to keep the Thunder off the free-throw line to just two trips in the final frame and handed out 13 assists to grow their lead to 21.
“Just trying to make them work defensively. I think that was the key to the game for us,” Barnes said.
The Spurs did not relent and kept the pressure on the Thunder as the final minutes of the game were winding down. That was key, considering the Spurs have squandered big leads this season instead of putting away teams early.
“A collective effort of just trying to make plays and obviously the great job of still getting the spots and making shots,” said Luke Kornet of the team’s dominant fourth. “Just trying to keep that energy defensively and play with force and dictating the ball.”
San Antonio shot the ball at 78% and hit on 6-9 three pointers in the fourth. In addition, the Spurs reserves outscored the Thunder reserves 22-11.
“Obviously, just playing fast and aggressive on offense,” added Kornet.
The Spurs and Thunder will meet again on Christmas Day, but this time in Oklahoma City in front of a rowdy Thunder crowd. The OKC players will be looking to avenge their last two losses to the Spurs, and it should be another phenomenal matchup.
The Spurs are 5-7 all-time in Christmas Day games (4-5 on the road), and the team will be looking to play the role of the Grinch on the road.
But if the fourth period in the team’s recent win proves anything, it is that the Thunder are in a must-win situation against the Spurs. Going down 0-3 to the Spurs would give them a lot of confidence as they face their West rival on the road or at home.
Also, the Spurs flexed a “killer mentality” to put away the Thunder in the fourth quarter, a mentality the team hopes will carry over on Christmas Day.
“I feel like we did a good job,” said Kornet.