Spurs look to even things up with Thunder

Game on KSAT Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; 'Race for Seis' special airs prior to game

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

SAN ANTONIO – It has been awhile. The San Antonio Spurs will get their first look at the Oklahoma City Thunder since opening night Oct. 28 when the Spurs lost to the Thunder in Oklahoma City 112-106. Kawhi Leonard scored a season-high 32 points in the loss.

Things are different these days. The Thunder are in third place in the west 11 games behind San Antonio. They are coming off a tough loss in Minnesota Friday night. For the 10th time this season they lost after blowing a lead going into the fourth quarter. They turned the ball over 24 times, Kevin Durant had six of those, but that does not change how the Spurs will approach the game.

"They are always dangerous, they have two of the best players in the NBA, Durant and (Russell) Westbrook. They are very, very good," Tony Parker said.

"They are coming in with a chip on their shoulder, coming with a lot of energy, they have something to prove," Danny Green said.

The Spurs will be looking to stretch their home winning streak to 32 this season. Saturday’s game will be the second game of a six-game home stand. They opened this home stand with a win over the Chicago Bulls Thursday night 109-101.

"It is going to be a great test for us tonight," Parker said.

That will be on the offensive and the defensive end of the floor especially with transition defense.

With 17 games left in the season, this is just one of many tests coming up. Saturday’s game will be the first of three remaining with OKC. They also play Golden State three more times.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said he thought it was important to be playing the top teams in the west this time of the season.

"It is about how you play, it is not the win or the loss really. If we win we won't be that excited; if we lose we won't be that depressed," Popovich said. "Look at players, who you really trust, who is going to be on the floor at the end of games come playoff time."


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.