NBA : Oklahoma City levels the series against San Antonio (122-113)

Scoreline swings and the offensive rhythm

Oklahoma City took Game 2 of the series. The scoreboard read 122-113 at the final buzzer. The two teams are now tied at one win apiece. The first quarter ended dead level at 31-31. Alex Caruso then changed the feel of the game. The guard scored 17 points and shot the ball with real efficiency from long range. The home side led 62-51 at the break.

San Antonio pushed back in the third quarter. Victor Wembanyama sparked the comeback and dragged his team level at 66-66. Oklahoma City snapped straight back into control. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kept landing the big blows on key possessions. An 11-point burst in a row in the fourth quarter put the result beyond doubt. The Canada guard finished with 30 points and 9 assists.

Defensive calls and possession management

Oklahoma City’s coaching staff made Wembanyama the focus of its defensive plan. Isaiah Hartenstein got the job of shadowing him. The German big man brought constant physical pressure to keep him away from the paint. The Spurs centre still put up the numbers with 21 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks, but it cost him plenty in the process.

San Antonio coughed up 21 turnovers on the night. Those mistakes led directly to 27 Oklahoma City points. Stephon Castle alone was responsible for nine giveaways. He still scored 25 points, but the Spurs never really sorted out their ball security, and the offence paid for it.

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Injury watch and series adjustments

The medical report listed three injury exits during the game. Jalen Williams went off after the first quarter. Early checks point to a hamstring injury in his left leg. He had already missed the previous round with the same problem. Ajay Mitchell also reported sharp pain in his quad during the closing stages.

The Spurs also lost rookie Dylan Harper in the third quarter. He is dealing with a right hamstring issue. He had been starting since the beginning of the conference finals. The series now heads to Texas. De’Aaron Fox is due back for Game 3. That return should force Mitch Johnson and his staff to tweak the rotation.

Photo by Alex Slitz / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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