Philippines, 15 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA West Finals - Thunder tie series behind Westbrook's rampage


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- Russell Westbrook picked a good night to serve up one of the best playoffs performances of his budding NBA career.

Westbrook, the fleet-footed 6-foot-3 point guard out of UCLA, carved the San Antonio Spurs defense with a devastating 40 points and 10 assists effort to lead the OKC Thunder to a 105-92 Game 4 victory Tuesday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Game 4's rout, which followed OKC's 106-97 Game 3 romp, evened the Western Conference Finals at 2-2. Game 5 is Thursday night (Friday AM in Manila) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, where the Spurs hope to rekindle the offensive fire that have disastrously waned on the road.

With their eyes set on putting a stranglehold of the best-of-7 series, the Spurs started quickly in Game 4, firing 8 unanswered points right after tip-off. But the Thunder, buoyed by a biting defense and a volatile offense, took control after one quarter, 26-20, before a 32-point second quarter gave them a 58-43 halftime lead.

The sluggish Spurs, who missed an astounding 50 of 83 field goals, got rocked some more after the intermission, and when Westbrook hammered down a dunk with only 4:35 left in the third period, the Thunder roared to a 27-point lead, 76-49, their biggest bulge of the evening.

The Spurs sliced the deficit to 12 early in the final stanza, but with their starters merely ogling from the bench, the Spurs second unit didn't have enough firepower to mount a full comeback and the Thunder separated themselves for good -- 96-77 -- with 5:40 to go.

"I thought everybody chipped in on defense. We used our length and athleticism to disrupt their flow on offense and Russell had just a monster game. He has enough energy to play back-to-backs on the same night," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks told NBA.com.

The 25-year old Westbrook, now on his sixth year with OKC, showed the stuff that makes him a perennial All-Star. He nailed 12 of 24 field goals and all 14 of his free throws. He also had 3 steals in a terrific burst of brilliance on both ends of the floor.

Kevin Durant, the reigning league MVP, wasn't too shabby either, sinking 11 of 22 shots for 31 points. No other Thunder registered double figures in points, but with Serge Ibaka chipping in 9 points, 8 boards and 3 blocks, the Thunder had more than enough to neutralize the Spurs.

While OKC quickly gathered themselves after the 8-0 hiccup to open Game 4, the Spurs couldn't get anything going.

Tim Duncan went 3-for-8 for 9 points, Manu Ginobili went 2-for-8 for 4 points while Kawhi Leonard made only 3-of-9 field goals for 10. Tony Parker and Boris Diaw each had 14 but they didn't exactly light the arena on fire, 12 of 23 made shots combined with 5 turnovers.

Besides being slightly out rebounded, 42-41, the Spurs lost the assists battle, 22-17, and they coughed up more turnovers, 13-7. It's a recipe to lose any game, let alone a huge Game 4 of this nip and tuck series.

"We are playing in spurts and increments," Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard moaned to ESPN.com. "We have to play a whole game."

Yes, indeed. It looks like playing from pillar to post is the top requirement to derail the raging Thunder, who now head to San Antonio with a momentum the size of Texas.

Otherwise, it will be deja vu all over again for the Spurs. Just like the forgettable 2012 playoffs when they won the first 2 only to be swept in the next 4. (Homer D. Sayson)

Photo: Russell Westbrook (middle) eluded all the defensive schemes the Spurs threw on him as the OKC Thunder seized Game 4, 105-92, to even the Western Conference Finals at 2-2.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.