NBA: Spurs storm past Thunder in series opener

LOS ANGELES, USA – LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 38 points in just 3 quarters on Saturday as the San Antonio Spurs stormed to a 124-92 victory over Oklahoma City in game one of their NBA playoffs second-round series.

The Spurs built a 23-point lead in the first quarter – when they connected on 81.8 percent of their shots – and the rout was on in game one of the Western Conference semi-finals in San Antonio.

Kawhi Leonard added 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the Spurs, who never trailed and led by as many as 43.

With the luxury of resting their starters in the fourth quarter, San Antonio will try to build on their hot start when they host game two of the best of 7 series on Monday.

Aldridge connected on 18 of 23 shots from the field and Leonard hit 10 of his 13 as the Spurs put on a shooting clinic.

Danny Green added 18 points for San Antonio and point guard Tony Parker handed out 12 assists – 8 of them in the first half.

All 13 San Antonio players who took the floor scored.

Serge Ibaka led the Thunder with 19 points. Kevin Durant scored 16 and Russell Westbrook added 14 points and 9 assists for Oklahoma City.

But Ibaka, Durant and Westbrook were a combined 19 of 49 from the floor, the 3 combining to make one more shot Aldridge made by himself.

With the dominant win the Spurs picked up where they left off after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in 4 games in the first round.

They led 73-40 at halftime – their highest scoring first half of the season.

Oklahoma City out-scored the Spurs 11-6 in the first 4 minutes of the third period, but San Antonio responded to smother their attempt to rally.

Aldridge hit his first 3-pointer of the season, Leonard made a technical free throw and a basket and Tim Duncan drove the lane for a layup off another Parker assist as the Spurs remained in control. – Rappler.com