Spurs, big third quarter rout struggling Thunder

San Antonio starters Tim Duncan (left) and Tony Parker rest on the bench Wednesday during the second half of the Spurs’ 112-77 victory over Oklahoma City in San Antonio.

San Antonio starters Tim Duncan (left) and Tony Parker rest on the bench Wednesday during the second half of the Spurs’ 112-77 victory over Oklahoma City in San Antonio.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are rolling toward a return to the NBA Finals, and the Oklahoma City Thunder look powerless to slow them down.

Tony Parker scored 22 points, Danny Green made seven three-pointers and added 21, and the Spurs used a dominant third quarter to decimate the Thunder 112-77 on Wednesday night and take 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 in San Antonio’s second consecutive rout.

“We just did our job. We won our first two games at home, and I’m sure they’re going to go back and say we have to do our job and win two games at home,” Parker said, recalling that the Spurs blew a 2-0 lead against the Thunder in the 2012 West finals.

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, and the Spurs are trying to remind themselves it probably won’t remain this easy.

“Manu said it’s a dangerous win but I believe in our group,” Green said. “I believe that we have the maturity, the character and the experience to stay focused and not take this win to head.”

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 34-18 in the period.

It was a shocking turn for the Thunder, who started well.

“It definitely doesn’t feel good and it shouldn’t,” Thunder Coach Scott Brooks said. “I hope our locker doesn’t feel good. You shouldn’t feel good. We got our butts kicked. But we have a good opportunity to come back and win Game 3.”

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 5 for 10 on free throws.

The Thunder scored five consecutive to open the game, with Westbrook’s three 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 threes 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 three-pointer, leading to a high-arcing three by Ginobili for a 58-44 lead. Ginobili then drew a charge on Westbrook’s three 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.

Durant made his first two field goals of the second half, but did not have another for the rest of the half.

NBA playoffs

CONFERENCE FINALS

(Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

SUNDAY’S GAME

Indiana 107, Miami 96

MONDAY’S GAME

San Antonio 122, Oklahoma City 105

TUESDAY’S GAME

Miami 87 Indiana 83,

Series tied 1-1

WEDNESDAY’S GAME

San Antonio 112, Oklahoma City 77,

San Antonio leads series 2-0

SATURDAY’S GAME All times Central

Indiana at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY

Indiana at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Sports on 05/22/2014