The 2014 NBA Finals have been set.
The Western Conference Finals concluded last night with the San Antonio Spurs traveling to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs lost star point guard Tony Parker to an ankle injury, but a balanced attack helped Gregg Popovich’s crew advance with an overtime victory.
Here’s everything that you need to know about last night’s action.
1. Boris Diaw erupted for 26 points, Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Kawhi Leonard put up 17 points and 11 rebounds to help the San Antonio Spurs defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107 in overtime. Russell Westbrook had 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, six steals and seven turnovers on 8-of-23 shooting, while Kevin Durant tallied 31 points and 14 rebounds on a mark of 12-of-25.
Tony Parker left with an ankle injury.
2. San Antonio will meet the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals for the second straight season. It’s the first Finals rematch since the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz met in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
3. The Spurs scored 51 bench points. The Thunder received five points from their reserves. That 46-point margin of difference is the largest of any game in the NBA this season.
4. San Antonio is the first team since the 1989 Detroit Pistons to make it to the NBA Finals after losing Game 7 in the Finals the previous season. Just like the Spurs will face the Heat again, the Pistons played the Los Angeles Lakers in both of those appearances.
Detroit won the second go-round 4-0.
5. Tonight marked the eighth time that both Durant and Westbrook scored at least 30 points in a playoff game. That passes Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal for second all-time amongst duos.
Bonus Fact: Diaw’s 26 points are his most in a playoff game since June 3, 2006.