Game 4 Grades: Spurs 103, Thunder 109

DeJuan Blair, C 9:36 MIN | 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS | +6

Pop finally unleashed Blair, and while he didn’t put up gaudy stats, he had the second best plus/minus of any Spur. Glad Pop came to his senses just in time for the Thunder to tie up the series.  Grade: B-

Matt Bonner, PF 2:10 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -8

It’s time to take the Red Rocket in to the shop. He’s been at an all-time low, and he just doesn’t fit in to the Spurs’ championship equation. Grade: D

Boris Diaw, PF 33:31 MIN | 5-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 12 PTS | -8

Not bad numbers, especially with the Thunder bigs playing out of their mind, but it just bothers me how much he spots up from the perimeter. He did go 2-4, but he needs to be at the post grabbing offensive boards if Blair is still limited Monday. Grade: B

Tim Duncan, C 35:46 MIN | 9-17 FG | 3-7 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 21 PTS | -3

Some spurts of vintage Duncan, but it wasn’t enough. However, can’t complain with the effort he had. Grade: A-

Manu Ginobili, SG 24:43 MIN | 4-7 FG | 3-3 FT | 0 REB | 4 AST | 13 PTS | -10

OKC’s guards are simply canceling Manu out. Either he has to attack the rim more or catch fire from beyond the arc, because Harden and KD are completely dominating on the other side. Grade: B

Danny Green, G 20:04 MIN | 3-9 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 7 PTS | +7

Hey Danny, your youth is showing. Grade: C+

Stephen Jackson, SG 22:00 MIN | 4-6 FG | 1-1 FT | 0 REB | 2 AST | 11 PTS | +5

Jack has been called to step up, and he hasn’t done badly. It’s just Harden, Thabo and KD are such tough assignments. Also, he can’t afford to foul out. Grade: B

Kawhi Leonard, SF 32:40 MIN | 7-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 17 PTS | -12

Didn’t even realize Leonard put up these kind of numbers till I looked at the box score. Nice outing rook. Grade: B+

Patty Mills, PG 0:07 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | +3

Was too depressed to even notice he stepped on to the court. Grade: Incomplete

Gary Neal, PG 15:16 MIN | 3-5 FG | 1-1 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | -8

Not sure how I feel about Neal continually trying to take shots inside the perimeter, but 3-5 isn’t horrible. Really wish somebody would just heat up from three like the entire Thunder team did tonight. Grade: C+

Tony Parker, PG 38:33 MIN | 5-15 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 12 PTS | 0

Praying MVP Tony was stuck in San Antonio Saturday. Need to bring it Game 5. Grade: B

Tiago Splitter, C 5:34 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-2 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 0 PTS | -2

I tried explaining this to one of my buddies that Splitter is actually really good, just isn’t a good match for the Thunder. The way bigs were filling the lane and the guards poking at the ball, Splitter’s whole offensive game collapses. Grade: D

Conclusion. A raucous crowd, a hot Thunder squad, and the entire country watching, the Spurs fell behind, but fell short in Oklahoma City. Not much else to say, but let’s hope they can execute better Monday, or it’s bye-bye fifth championship.