Do not look now, but the Oklahoma City Thunder have gone from being on the brink of elimination to winning two straight games and tying up the series with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs have seen this before. The team faced this situation in 2012 where they beat the Thunder in the first two games, but lost the next four and were bounced from the postseason. Looking to avoid the same fate again, the Spurs must find an answer to Serge Ibaka and get back on track.
The Thunder looked poised for a quick exit in the Western Conference finals. Without Ibaka on the court they could not stop the Spurs seasoned veterans from having their way offensively. However, the tables have turned and now Oklahoma City have found their stride and taking advantage of it. They lost the first two games by a combined 52 points, getting embarrassed in Game 2 falling 112-77. However, now they look like a new team. Russell Westbrook put up 40 points and 10 assists in Game 4.
Ibaka controlled the defense. In the two games since his return to the court from a calf injury, he has averaged 12 points and a much-needed 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. He caused the Spurs to go from shooting 50 percent in the first two games to just 40 percent in Games 3 and 4. He is clogging up their passing lanes and protecting the rim, something not present at the start of the series.
If San Antonio has something working for them in Game 5 it is home court advantage. The team had the best home record in the league during the regular season. While the Spurs have the veteran mindset working for them, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker must match the youth intensity the Thunder are bringing if they are going to avoid the upset loss. Slowing down Ibaka will be hard. He gives the Thunder a third scoring option along with Reggie Jackson. However, Jackson sprained his right ankle on Tuesday and is questionable for this matchup.