Thunder Has Worst Offensive Game of Year in Loss to Spurs

San Antonio wore down Oklahoma City to win 101-74.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:07 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Has Worst Offensive Game of Year in Loss to Spurs

Originally Published: Jan 1, 2011 10:10 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO – Not even the youthful energy of the Thunder could slow the NBA juggernaut that is the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.

The Spurs are the NBA’s hottest team and proved why in a 101-74 blowout of Oklahoma City in San Antonio.

San Antonio (29-4 overall) has won 14 of its past 15 games.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City put up some of its worst numbers of the year, including 33 percent from the floor and 14 percent from 3-point range.

The Thunder’s 74 points were easily the lowest total of the season, second to an 82-81 win over Milwaukee back in November.

The game got off to a rough start for Oklahoma City and the Spurs never let up. San Antonio led by 14 after one quarter and as many as 18 in the second.

Oklahoma City battled back to within single digits just once in the second half – a jumper from Nenad Krstic had the Thunder down 55-46 shortly into the third.

But San Antonio outscored OKC 22-7 to finish the quarter and the rout was on.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with just 16 points, and only three total Thunder players scored in double digits (Serge Ibaka had 14 and James Harden had 12).

Ibaka also led all rebounders in the game with 13 boards.

The Spurs used their depth to tire the Thunder out and force them into 19 turnovers. San Antonio played 10 players 19 minutes or more.

The loss kicked off a tough stretch of games to open the new year with for Oklahoma City, who will head to Memphis on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.