San Antonio Spurs 93-85 Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 talking points
Saturday night’s 10 game slate was highlighted by a nationally televised game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams came into the encounter with different circumstances.For the Thunder, it was their second game of a back to back while the Spurs were playing after a day off. Since the All-Star break the Spurs have dropped just two games and won 12 of 14. On the flip side, the Thunder have four games but have lost eight.Before the game, San Antonio were tied third for most consecutive home game wins with 40 and were laying that record on the line against the Thunder. Despite trailing by two heading into the fourth, the Spurs played astute defence, executed on offense and outscored their opponents 27-17 in the final period, to win the game 93-85. The Spurs now stand alone in the third spot for most consecutive wins at home (41).Here are the five major talking points from the game:
#5 OKC\'s tricky schedule ahead doesn\'t help their cause
The date set for the 2016 NBA Playoffs is April 16th and till the end of the regular season the Thunder have 16 games remaining. Unfortunately only five of those 16 are against non-Playoff teams. Here’s a breakdown of the team’s remaining schedule:
| Opponents | Games Remaining |
|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | 2 |
| Houston Rockets | 2 |
| Portland Trailblazers | 2 |
| Boston Celtics | 1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 1 |
| Utah Jazz | 1 |
With the Clippers at their heels to grab their third seed, The Thunder need to rack up as many wins as they can from the remaining 16 games. The game against the Celtics being played in Boston is going to be really competitive. Damian Lillard and the Trailblazers are sure to make sure the Thunder sweat and work for their wins. The Clippers face the Thunder one last time this season after the return of Power Forward Blake Griffin.
Oklahoma City still have two such match-ups remaining with the Spurs. They have two left against the unpredictable Houston Rockets. This final stretch of the season also see’s them play the second seed in the East the Raptors.
It’s a tough stretch for the team but they need to muster up some wins to give themselves some confidence before the post-season begins.