It felt like every single NBA fan knew this series was going the distance. The two best teams in the NBA facing off in the WCF, in a chance to be the favorites in the NBA finals. SGA and Chet vs Castle and Wemby was never going to disappoint. Last night we got what we expected with the Spurs 118-91 win over the Thunder in Game 6. Mark your calendars for one of the best games we’ve seen this decade. Thunder vs Spurs, Game 7 in OKC.
Spurs 118 - Thunder 91 (3-3)
What happened?
Last night’s blowout win was probably the most lopsided game this series. It was so obvious that the Spurs wanted it more and it felt like the Thunder were happy for this series to go to a Game 7. The Thunder never led in this game and Wemby was clearly the best player on the court all game. He had a huge 28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 made 3’s. The tables-turned from last night, with the Thunder now shooting terribly from beyond the arc and the Spurs not being able to miss. The Thunder shot only 25% from 3 while the Spurs shot 37%. After Game 5, I said that if the Spurs just make their 3’s this game could be very different and that was proven right in Game 6. It feels like Stephon Castle improves an aspect of his game every time he steps out onto the court. Today he had 9 assists and only 1 turnover, which has been a huge problem for him in this post-season. The Spurs also out-rebounded OKC winning 52-42. SGA was underwhelming with 15 points and so was Chet with 10. This game was wrapped up after the Spurs went on a dominant run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 20, and from there the Thunder seemed to just give up. Overall, just a dominant performance from Wemby and San Antonio and Game 7 is about to be insane.
What does it mean?
Everyone knows what that win meant, but let’s dive a little deeper. San Antonio’s win obviously sent this series to a Game 7 but that is also the 5th Game 7 of these playoffs, tying it with 1994, 2014 and 2016, for the post-seasons with the most series that have gone the distance. The last time we saw a Game 7 in the WCF was when Golden State faced off against Houston in 2018. This is the Spurs 12th time playing a Game 7 and the Thunder’s 14th time (including Seattle). No matter how we phrase this game it is still set to be one of the most exciting game we have seen all decade. This game is just a taste of a dynasty rivalry for the ages.
What do both teams need to do in Game 7?
Spurs:
The Spurs have the momentum after Game 6 but that hasn’t mattered much in this series. The way the Spurs have won their games in this series is playing with more urgency and desperation. If they can play hard, play amazing defense and hit their 3’s they have a great chance to win this series. Although OKC are the favorites and the Spurs might be here one season too early, who’s to say Wemby can’t lead them to the finals.
Thunder:
In my opinion, I think the Thunder are slightly favored. They’ve been in this situation before and they have home-court advantage in one of the loudest arenas in the league. They have been very inconsistent in these series hustle wise, but they’ve won the games that have mattered most. If they play like they did in Game 5, 2, 3, it’s going to be very hard for San Antonio to win this game.
When is Game 7?
Game 7 is set to be on Saturday Night at 1:00am UK time in OKC. The Thunder will enter this game as 3.5 point favorites, but truly this is anyones game.
Daily Recap
NBA
Spurs 118 -91 Thunder (3-3) Highlights
MLB
Dodgers 10 - 2 Red Sox
Rangers 1 - 5 Astros
Cubs 7 - 2 Pirates
Blue Jays 2 - 1 Orioles
Tigers 1 - 7 Angels
White Sox 6 - 2 Twins
Around the League
Mitchell Robinson may be out for the finals with a broken pinky. Updates coming.
Adam Silver announces new lottery system to combat tanking:
3 Lottery Balls: Awarded to the 7 teams that miss the playoffs but avoid the bottom-three "relegation zone".
2 Lottery Balls: Awarded to the bottom-three teams (relegation zone), the 9th and 10th play-in seeds.
1 Lottery Ball: Awarded to the losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-In games.