Thunder vs. Spurs: 5 Keys to OKC Getting Win in San Antonio

There is much to be learned from a Game 2 in a playoff series. Tonight, we will see what adjustments the road team Oklahoma City Thunder made after taking a tough loss in Game 1. 

In order for the Thunder to win this series, they must steal a game in San Antonio. After losing Game 1 by only three points, it is clear that the Thunder are very capable of winning a road game in this series.

As the Thunder are looking to head back to Oklahoma City with a tied series, here are the five keys for them to grab a road win tonight.

Contain Manu Ginobili

The Spurs' sixth man, Manu Ginobili, had an efficient Game 1.

He led his team in scoring with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting and snagged five rebounds.

In order for the Thunder to win tonight, Ginobili's production must be decreased. 

The Thunder defense must defend Ginobili better and lessen his impact on the game. They might want to try putting the 6'10" Kevin Durant on him for a few possessions to possibly let his length distract him.

Whatever Thunder head coach Scotty Brooks decides to do, he must reel in Ginobili, because that is not a player you want to let off the hook too often in a seven-game series.

Have a Better Fourth Quarter

The Thunder had a miserable fourth quarter in Game 1, allowing the Spurs to score 39 points and only scoring 27 points themselves.

They entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead and blew it by allowing San Antonio to make a run, getting their home crowd back into it.

A Thunder victory tonight will not happen if they have a repeat of their fourth quarter in Game 1. The league's scoring champion, Kevin Durant, only attempted two shots in the fourth quarter, which just does not seem right.

It was not like he had a bad night—he scored 27 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field, which is decent, but his team will need him to turn it up in the final quarter.

The Thunder as a team need to have a better fourth quarter, but it will start with Durant. He must set the tone in the fourth and be more aggressive on the offensive end. 

Attack the Rim

It is always easier to make a basket when you are closer to it.

Better yet, just check this glaring differential in points in the paint: The Thunder had 26 to the Spurs' 50.

It is tough for a team to win a game when the other team is almost doubling your points inside. 

A big reason for the lack of points in the paint is that the Thunder do not have an offensive big man, unlike the Spurs, who have one of the greatest power forwards to play the game in Tim Duncan.

Center Kendrick Perkins is there to provide defense, rebounding and toughness inside, but not points.

In order to equalize the inside production of a player like Tim Duncan, the Thunder scorers—especially the Big Three—must go to the rim and try to finish inside or get to the free-throw line.

If you live by the jumper, you will die by the jumper, and clearly the Thunder died by it in Game 1.

Push the Pace

Attacking the rim goes hand-in-hand with pushing the pace.

During the regular season, the Thunder were 35-7 when scoring 100-plus points. They must keep a fast pace against the aged Spurs.

During the playoffs, the Spurs are only allowing their opponents to shoot 42 percent from the field.

Repeatedly shooting jumpers will not beat the Spurs, so the Thunder must run up the court and force the action.

The Thunder only had 17 fast-break points in Game 1—they will need a little more than that to beat San Antonio on the road. 

Harden Must Outplay Ginobili

Sixth Man of the Year James Harden must outdo the opposing Spurs sixth man, Manu Ginobili.

Harden scored 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting with six rebounds.

Not a bad game at all, but one stat that hurt was his five turnovers to his one assist. 

Harden is the facilitator and big playmaker for the team, so he must get his teammates involved when he gets in the game.

Ginobili cannot continue to outplay Harden if the Thunder want to win this series.

Tonight, Harden will have to get his team involved early and help set the pace for the game for the Thunder.