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Daily NBA Fix 5-26-14: Dave Joerger To Stay After Jason Levien Goes

By Phil Watson

Dave Joerger flirted with a return to his native Minnesota, but in the end opted to remain head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dave Joerger flirted with a return to his native Minnesota, but in the end opted to remain head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (center) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Danny Green as Thunder player Russell Westbrook (left) looks on in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Oklahoma City won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (center) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Danny Green as Thunder player Russell Westbrook (left) looks on in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Oklahoma City won 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 106, San Antonio Spurs 97

Game 3, Western Conference Finals
Serge Ibaka returned from a calf injury and changed the complexion of the Western Conference Finals by helping forge a dramatic improvement in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s interior defense.

Ibaka scored 15 points and blocked four shots as the Thunder—who had surrendered 60 points a game in the paint in two lopsided losses to the San Antonio Spurs on the road—outscored the Spurs in the paint 46-40 to cut their deficit in the series to 2-1.

Manu Ginobili and Russell Westbrook played a game of dueling 3-pointers at the end of the first half, with Ginobili canning a pair in the final minute and Westbrook answering each time, including a 36-footer with 0.6 seconds left that put OKC up 57-53 at the half.

The Thunder pulled away in the second half, leading by as much as 20 points in the late going.

Westbrook finished with 26 points and three steals for Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant added 25 points and 10 rebounds and Reggie Jackson—starting in place of Thabo Sefolosha, who did not play—had 15 points. Steven Adams came off the bench for four blocks and nine rebounds in 28 minutes.

Ginobili paced the Spurs with 23 points and Tim Duncan added 16. Tony Parker, so effective with penetration in the first two games, was held to only nine points on 4-of-13 shooting.

Game 4 is Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.