Spurs earn comeback win vs. Thunder, 104-101: Recap, highlights and more

The San Antonio Spurs returned home Friday night to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. How did this one play out in the Alamo City?

After losing to the Minnesota Timberwovles on the road Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs were looking to turn it around at home against Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and the Thunder.  Oklahoma City came in looking for their fourth consecutive win.

The Thunder seized control of the game at the beginning. San Antonio’s only lead of the first half came right from the opening tip when Danny Green stole the ball for an easy layup.

Danny Green scores the first bucket of the game on ESPN! #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/9gQILH79ft

— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2017

Spurred by 18 unanswered points and forcing seven early turnovers, Oklahoma City led by 17 after one. With no Kawhi Leonard or Tony Parker available, the Spurs struggled offensively early.

In the second quarter Oklahoma City continued to dominate, at one point leading by 23. Westbrook and Anthony both hit double-digits in scoring by the end of the half. However, the Spurs got on a run of their own with ten unanswered which included a two-handed slam dunk by LaMarcus Aldridge.

LA THROWS IT DOWN. pic.twitter.com/zfkV3ZG4LV

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 18, 2017

After another Thunder run, Green helped get the Spurs back in the game as he knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to trim the Thunder’s lead to just seven at halftime. Green was the team’s leading scorer after two with 14 points while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line.

D ? A ? N ? N ? Y https://t.co/hesqYA2FmS

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 18, 2017

After falling victim to turnovers in the first half, San Antonio took better care of the ball in the third quarter. Thanks to some nice ball movement, they cut the lead to four at the halfway point of the period thanks to three-pointers from Green, Patty Mills, and Pau Gasol. Davis Bertans came off the bench to hit three three-pointers that helped tie the game at 78 at the end of the quarter. Overall San Antonio closed the third period on a 58-35 run since being down 43-20 in the second quarter.

Manu Ginobili gave the Spurs their first lead since 2-0 at the start of the fourth quarter on his first field goal of the night, a three-pointer.  San Antonio’s next bucket came courtesy of a Gasol and Rudy Gay connection for an alley-oop.

? RUDY RUDY RUDY https://t.co/Bs7yQmnaVX

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 18, 2017

Westbrook struggling in the second half, at one point missing eleven consecutive shots, but helped keep the Thunder in the game. Thanks to many offensive rebounds, Oklahoma City was still well within striking distance. With just seconds left, Carmelo Anthony hit a long two-pointer to make it a one-point game, but it was not enough to save the Thunder. Oklahoma City has struggled so far this season to close out games and tonight showed.

LaMarcus Aldridge was the leading scorer with 26 points, shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Danny Green was the real difference-maker in this one with 17 points, 5 three-pointers, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. The biggest factor for San Antonio was shooting 40 percent from three-point range to help close the gap and seal the win.

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The Spurs will face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, Nov. 20, at the AT&T Center at 7:30 p.m. CT.