OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Thunder would prefer not to make a habit out of losing the opener of a playoff series, but they have developed a confidence in that situation, if not a comfort level.
As they did twice during last season's title run, the Thunder responded with a Game 2 victory to even the series before heading on the road, pulling out a 122-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals Wednesday night.
"This late in the season, there's nothing special that you can do," said two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Oklahoma City with 30 points and nine assists while committing only one turnover. "Every team has their identity, and when they impose their identity more than the other team does, they usually win no matter what level or what stakes are in the game. Tonight we just did a better job of that than we did in the first game."
Oklahoma City's identity is a poised, intelligent, physical team that wreaks havoc defensively and wears down opponents with its depth.