Thunder beat Spurs 123-108

Oklahoma City took control of Game 3 with depth after falling behind 15-0 in the opening minutes. The Thunder beat the Spurs 123-108 in San Antonio on Friday night, moving ahead 2-1 in the Western Conference finals behind 26 points and 12 assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jared McCain added 24 points off the bench, and Oklahoma City’s reserves overwhelmed San Antonio’s second unit. The result gave the Thunder a road win and put the series lead back in their hands heading into Game 4. ### How did Oklahoma City recover after the 15-0 start? San Antonio opened Friday’s game with the first 15 points, forcing Oklahoma City into an immediate deficit before the Thunder settled in. The Thunder still won by 15 points, according to the NBA game recap and box score. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steadied Oklahoma City once the game turned. The Thunder star finished with 26 points and 12 assists, and the team climbed back into the game by generating easier offense in transition and through its bench groups, according to the NBA recap. Associated Press reported that Oklahoma City erased the early hole and took the 2-1 series lead despite getting only seven combined points from three starters. ### Why was the bench the biggest part of the game? Oklahoma City’s bench scored 76 points, compared with 23 for San Antonio’s reserves. NBC Sports described the 76-point total as a franchise playoff record for the Thunder bench, while USA Today said it was a conference finals record. (nba.com) Jared McCain led that group with 24 points. USA Today reported that four Thunder reserves scored in double figures, giving Oklahoma City a level of production San Antonio could not match over four quarters. That reserve output mattered because the Thunder did not need a huge scoring night from every starter to pull away. (nbcsports.com) ### What did Gilgeous-Alexander’s line actually mean in this game? Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points and 12 assists gave Oklahoma City both scoring and control. The NBA’s official recap listed him as the game’s top organizer as the Thunder recovered from the early deficit and kept the Spurs from regaining momentum. The box score also showed Oklahoma City had enough support around him to keep pressure on San Antonio throughout the second half. (witness.usatoday.com) That balance was central to the game: Gilgeous-Alexander directed it, but the Thunder’s second unit expanded the margin. ### What was missing for San Antonio? San Antonio could not sustain the advantage it built in the opening minutes. (nba.com) Local station KENS 5 reported that the Spurs improved on their turnover issues from earlier in the series, but the bench deficit — 76-23 — became the defining gap in the game. (nba.com) The Spurs also could not match Oklahoma City once the Thunder began rotating fresh contributors through the game. NBC Sports said the steady flow of productive bench minutes was something San Antonio could not answer as Oklahoma City pulled away in the fourth quarter. ### What does the series look like now? (kens5.com) Oklahoma City now leads the Western Conference finals 2-1 after splitting the first two games and then winning on the road in Game 3. The NBA game page and multiple reports list Game 4 for Sunday, May 24, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Sunday’s game gives San Antonio a chance to even the series at home, while Oklahoma City can move within one win of the NBA Finals. (nba.com) (nbcsports.com)