By Dave Holcomb
Durant scores more than 30 points for the 9th straight game as Oklahoma City defeat the Spurs for the third time this season
With just over three minutes remaining in the game, the Spurs had held forward Kevin Durant in check with 27 points and none in the fourth quarter.
But in the closing minutes on Wednesday, the all-star made three field goals, including two 3-pointers, and a foul shot to push the game out of reach as Oklahoma City beat San Antonio for a third time this season, 111-105.
The game featured fantastic guard play from both sides even though Russell Westbrook was still out with injury. Point guard Reggie Jackson went 12-for-17 from the field, including 3-for-3 behind the arc, to score 27 points. He also dished eight assists and did not turn the ball over once.
The Spurs have seen just about enough of Jackson as in his three games against San Antonio this season, he averages ten more points than he does against the rest of the league.
For San Antonio, point guard Tony Parker led the team with 37 points. Forward Tim Duncan had 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Since Westbrook left with his injury, Durant has averaged 36.5 and 5.6 assists per game. In his last 11 games, the forward has gone for more than 45 points four times. Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard did a decent job of guarding Durant in the first half, but left the game with a broken finger.
As much as the focus is on Kevin Durant’s continue dominance of the NBA, San Antonio is quietly struggling against the league’s best teams. In games versus teams with a .650 winning percentage or higher, the Spurs are 1-9. Duncan’s team has also already lost more home games, seven, than the team did all of last year.
Against teams that are below the .650 win percentage, San Antonio is nearly perfect at 31-1.
With this victory, Oklahoma City (33-10) jumps a half game in front of San Antonio for the Western Conference lead.
Good article. Just a reminder of how outstanding Durant really is!