Tune in at 9:30 PM ET as the Thunder take on the Spurs. Gino Bottero will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Welcome everyone! I'll be live blogging tonight's game between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
In case you missed it, the front end of tonight's double header between the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks has been postponed because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. The game has been rescheduled for November 26th.
The NBA and players' association announced they will pledge $1 million to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. To help support this important cause visit www.redcross.org, text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or send a donation to your local Red Cross chapter.
ALERT: Spurs guard Manu Ginobili has been ruled OUT for tonight's game (back spasms)
These teams met in the West Finals last season. Oklahoma City came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in six games with Kevin Durant scoring 34 points in the series clinching game. However, the Spurs have won nine of their last 11 regular season meetings with the Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a splash last weekend when they traded reigning Sixth Man of the Year James Harden along with three others to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and draft picks.
Last night the Spurs trailed by double digits in the first half against the Hornets, but escaped New Orleans with a 99-95 win. Tim Duncan scored 24 points and Tony Parker added 23 more, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute.
Tony Parker has averaged 24.5 points over his last eight matchups with Oklahoma City, including the postseason.
Russell Westbrook shot only 37.8 percent in the West Finals against the Spurs.
Kevin Martin has averaged 26.3 points per game in his last six games against San Antonio.
Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and draft picks.
I'm just hoping for another good game between these top-level teams. They put on a show in the playoffs last season.
Thunder Starters:
R. Westbrook
T. Sefolosha
K. Durant
S. Ibaka
K. Perkins
Spurs Starters:
T. Parker
D. Green
K. Leonard
T. Duncan
B. Diaw
They're about ready to begin in San Antonio.
OKC Durant opens the scoring, knocking down a jumper from the right elbow.
Diaw tries from three but couldn't connect.
OKC Westbrook backs down a defender, spins off and knocks down a jumper.
OKC Ibaka connects on a short jumper.
Duncan gets into the lane but Ibaka sends his shot right back.
9:41 Sefolosha drives in transition and draws the foul. He'll shoot two.
San Antonio played last night in New Orleans and it looks like OKC has the fresher legs early on.
OKC Sefolosha hits on both.
9:07 Duncan backs down Ibaka, went up awkwardly and draws the foul. He'll shoot two.
SA Duncan hits on both free throws.
SA Parker out running in transition off a steal and he lays it in.
SA Parker drives and kicks out to Green at the right elbow and he hits for 3.
SA Duncan gives the Spurs their first lead of the night.
A 9-0 San Antonio run going into that timeout.
SA Another Thunder turnover led to another Parker lay in in transition.
Can't wait for this thunder spurs game. Win win for the harden trade, both teams made out. Miss harden on the thunder tho. #ThunderUpby Dan_Sulenski via twitter 11/2/2012 1:31:14 AM
1st game without harden for the thunderby chaeac95 via twitter 11/2/2012 1:31:17 AM
Time for Westbrook and T.Parker to get to work! #Thunder #Spurs #fantasybasketballby TQuirk3 via twitter 11/2/2012 1:31:55 AM
Lets see what the Thunder talking bout.by Astronaut__Kid via twitter 11/2/2012 1:32:01 AM
The Spurs are gonna get whooped but the Thunder won't get far in the playoffs!by cheeksgalore13 via twitter 11/2/2012 1:32:27 AM
Spurs vs Thunder. Lets get payback for last year. No James Harden now!!!! #GoSpursGoby KB_Est_88 via twitter 11/2/2012 1:32:53 AM
I'm calling it. Russell Westbrook goes off tonight. #Thunder #Spursby BrandonGenson via twitter 11/2/2012 1:36:07 AM
