Game 2 Grades: Thunder 111, Spurs 120

Matt Bonner, PF 16:59 MIN | 1-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 4 PTS | -4

Why is Blair still glued to the bench, and Bonner still getting 17 minutes? Grade: C-

Boris Diaw, PF 26:39 MIN | 4-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 9 PTS | +12

Not far off from a double-double, and he could’ve done it if the Spurs got after the boards better tonight. Too many second chance opportunities for Oklahoma City. Grade: B-

Tim Duncan, C 36:18 MIN | 2-11 FG | 7-10 FT | 12 REB | 6 AST | 11 PTS | +16

Don’t let the 2-11 shooting fool you. Duncan quietly made a big difference in this game. Also, his poster on Serge Ibaka was good enough to overlook anything wrong he did the rest of the night. Grade: B+

Manu Ginobili, SG 25:43 MIN | 6-11 FG | 7-8 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 20 PTS | -3

Take notes LeBron. Manu’s fearless attitude and ability to close a game was huge. Grade: A

Danny Green, G 26:42 MIN | 4-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 10 PTS | +14

Skrilla had a cold Game 1, but he finally got his shot (somewhat) back. Hitting a shot early in the game gave Green some confidence back, but finished 2-7 from beyond the arc. I love his confidence, though. Grade: B

Stephen Jackson, SG 12:28 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 3 PTS | 0

Pop saw Jack struggling, and like any great coach, he took him out before the Thunder could take advantage. Grade: C

Kawhi Leonard, SF 35:21 MIN | 7-12 FG | 1-1 FT | 10 REB | 0 AST | 18 PTS | +9

Big improvement from Game 1. Kawhi got to the rim, and sealed the game with an and-one dunk. Grade: A-

Gary Neal, PG 8:41 MIN | 1-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 3 PTS | -6

With Green playing at a higher level, Neal was limited.   Grade: C

Tony Parker, PG 39:43 MIN | 16-21 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 8 AST | 34 PTS | +15

TP was NASTY tonight. His best performance of the season by far, and for old time’s sake: M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P! Grade: A+++

Tiago Splitter, C 12:38 MIN | 1-1 FG | 6-12 FT | 0 REB | 3 AST | 8 PTS | -6

The “Hack-A-Splitter” worked and didn’t work. It worked, because it shifted the San Antonio’s huge momentum. However, Splitter hit half of his free throws, which forced OKC to make shots of their own. Grade: B

Conclusion. Well, I hate to be “that guy,” but as I said in my preview, Spurs would get a big lead, almost blow it, and regain it late. Spurs played one of their best games all season, and until the “Hack-A-Splitter” was put in to the equation, it was some of the best basketball I had ever seen out of San Antonio. The Spurs closed the game, and they are now two games away from making their first NBA Finals appearance since 2007.