The number 1 and 2 seeds in the Western Conference began their series last night and they did not disappoint. The San Antonio Spurs, led by Manu Ginobili, were able to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-98, taking the first game of the series.

Ginobili came off the bench but led the Spurs in scoring. He had 26 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter.

This was the outbreak the Spurs needed from their veteran guard. In the first round of the playoffs he averaged less than 10 points a game and against the Los Angeles Clippers averaged 14 points.

What Ginobili is known for, and did well last night, is making tough shots. With 1:57 left in the fourth quarter and the Spurs already up seven points, he drove to the basket and out dribbled three Thunder defenders, drawing a foul, faking off Kevin Durant and laying it in for a three-point play. The Spurs were then up 94-84 and were able to close out the game.

The Spurs bench totaled 52 points in this game, proving the Spurs have a very deep team. Gary Neal went 2-4 from three and provided 12 points. Stephen Jackson provided five points and the "little dose of nasty" coach Gregg Popovich wanted from his team. 

The Thunder's Durant was able to score 26 points, but only six came at the end of the game and he did not make a field goal. Containing Durant in the fourth is key for the Spurs if they want to win this series. The Los Angeles Lakers are on vacation because of Durant's ability to finish in the final moments of the game.

Two bright spots in the Thunder's lineup were the way Derek Fisher and James Harden played. Even though Fisher only had 13 points, nine of these points came in the second quarter, helping the Thunder take a one-point lead into the half.

Harden allowed the Thunder to stay in the game. He had 19 points in the night, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. 

The Thunder will need Durant to make buckets in the last quarter if they are going to come back in this series. They shot well from three but the Spurs outscored them 50-26 in the paint. 

The Spurs have to do a better job staying with the ball as they had 17 turnovers in the night. They made some of it up with second-chance points, as they out rebounded the Thunder 50-43, 12 being offensive rebounds. 

Game 2 will be played in San Antonio on Tuesday. Look for the red hot Spurs, who have not lost in the playoffs and not lost since mid-April, to continue dominating. The Thunder will try to end the streak as they look to get back into the series.