LaMarcus Aldridge does not need the three-point ball to put together a big-time performance in the scoring column, and he stepped up in a major way for the San Antonio Spurs at home. It took two overtimes, but Aldridge's career-high 56 points powered the Spurs over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 154-147, at the AT&T Center on Thursday night. Aldridge shot 20-of-33 from the floor and a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line, putting together the Spurs' first 50-point performance since Tony Parker did it in 2008. The Spurs also used their three-point shooting to earn this big win, making their first 14 three-pointers of the game, which set a franchise record, as they finished at 16-for-19 from beyond the arc.
Despite those major stats, the Thunder did not go down quietly, thanks in part to Paul George scoring 30 points, while Russell Westbrook added a triple-double of 24 points, 24 assists, and 13 rebounds. Jerami Grant added 25 points, but the Thunder still lost for the seventh straight time in San Antonio. Grant also added 12 rebounds in a double-double effort, but he fouled out with 25 seconds left in the second overtime, which gave OKC one less option down the stretch.
The Spurs have now won six of their past seven games, and 14 of 18 overall, as they continue to climb up the Western Conference standings. They spent the first two months of the season on the outside looking in of the playoff picture due to a tough start. They are now on the heels of a top four spot in the Western Conference standings.
Westbrook played 50 minutes for the Thunder in the loss and only turned the ball over three times, as his team still remains in third place in the West. OKC did come in to the game holding opponents to just 33.3 percent shooting from three-point range, which was the third-lowest mark in the entire NBA. That number definitely went up thanks to the Spurs, including Marco Bellinelli, who made three straight three-pointers to get things going in the first quarter. The Spurs made all 10 of their three-point attempts in the first half, all to lead by as many as 16 at home.
The best part about this thrilling matchup is that the same two teams will do battle on Saturday night in Oklahoma City.
Despite those major stats, the Thunder did not go down quietly, thanks in part to Paul George scoring 30 points, while Russell Westbrook added a triple-double of 24 points, 24 assists, and 13 rebounds. Jerami Grant added 25 points, but the Thunder still lost for the seventh straight time in San Antonio. Grant also added 12 rebounds in a double-double effort, but he fouled out with 25 seconds left in the second overtime, which gave OKC one less option down the stretch.
The Spurs have now won six of their past seven games, and 14 of 18 overall, as they continue to climb up the Western Conference standings. They spent the first two months of the season on the outside looking in of the playoff picture due to a tough start. They are now on the heels of a top four spot in the Western Conference standings.
Westbrook played 50 minutes for the Thunder in the loss and only turned the ball over three times, as his team still remains in third place in the West. OKC did come in to the game holding opponents to just 33.3 percent shooting from three-point range, which was the third-lowest mark in the entire NBA. That number definitely went up thanks to the Spurs, including Marco Bellinelli, who made three straight three-pointers to get things going in the first quarter. The Spurs made all 10 of their three-point attempts in the first half, all to lead by as many as 16 at home.
The best part about this thrilling matchup is that the same two teams will do battle on Saturday night in Oklahoma City.
