NBA: San Antonio Spurs claim late win over Oklahoma

San Antonio came from behind to secure victory and move closer to NBA Finals, thanks to Manu Ginobili.

epa03239169 San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili of Argentina (C) goes to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of game one of the NBA Western Conference finals at ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA, 27 May 2012.  EPA/ERIC GAY / POOL CORBIS OUT
Powered by automated translation

SAN ANTONIO// Manu Ginobili scored 26 points as San Antonio Spurs turned it on in the fourth quarter to defeat Oklahoma City 101-98 in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals.

The result stretches their winning streak to 19 games and moves the Texas side one game closer to securing a slot in the NBA Finals.

The Spurs, who trailed by nine points late in the third, turned the tables in the fourth, when they outscored Oklahoma City 39-27.

The Spurs also had just three turnovers in the second half, compared to their 13 in the first half.

Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 27 points and Russell Westbrook added 17, but they couldn't stop the Spurs in the final period.

Point guard Tony Parker scored 18 points with six assists for San Antonio, while Tim Duncan scored 16 and grabbed 11 rebounds.

With Argentinian Ginobili leading the way, the Spurs bench contributed 52 points.

The winner of this best-of-seven series will face either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics for the NBA title. San Antonio host game two on Tuesday.

Follow us