By RAUL DOMINGUEZ , Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and 10 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs led for all but 30 seconds in defeating Oklahoma City 116-102 on Saturday night, handing the Thunder their fourth straight loss.
Rudy Gay added 22 points and DeMar DeRozan had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds and as San Antonio won its second straight at home after going 1-7 on their annual Rodeo Road Trip.
Oklahoma City, which has lost five of six, remains third in the Western Conference but has the same record as Portland at 38-24.
San Antonio moved into seventh in the West past the Los Angeles Clippers, who have an identical 35-29 record.
The Thunder were without leading scorer Paul George, who missed his second straight game with a sore right shoulder, and the team struggled to make up for his 28.6 points per game. Oklahoma City scored 39 points in the second half while losing their eighth straight in San Antonio.
The Thunder’s only lead came at 7-6 when Dennis Schroder made one of two free throws with 9:05 remaining in the first quarter.
Schroder finished with 18 points and Russell Westbrook added 19 points, but Oklahoma City’s fiery point guard was 7 for 17 from the field.
San Antonio set a season-high with 72 points in the first half fueled by a strong start by Aldridge.
Aldridge had 17 points in the first quarter, making his first five shots and combining with Derrick White to open the game 8 for 9. Among the baskets was White driving through the lane to deliver a no-look pass to Aldridge under the rim for a layup.
White finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The scoring surge was capped in the third quarter when both teams combined to score 35 points. The Thunder were held to 15 points, one below their season-worst for the third quarter.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Oklahoma City’s last win in San Antonio came Dec. 25, 2014, when Westbrook had 34 points and 11 assists. … The Thunder scored five points in the final minute of the first quarter to avoid equaling their previous low in the opening period of 20 points against the Clippers on Oct. 19. … Oklahoma City’s lowest production in the third quarter was 14 points at Dallas on Dec. 30. … Adams picked up his third foul with 4:45 remaining in the first half, but remained in the game and picked up only one other foul while playing 23 total minutes.
Spurs: Recently retired San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili was in attendance watching the game with his sons. Ginobili’s jersey will be retired March 28 following the Spurs’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. … San Antonio’s previous high for a half was 70 points, which they achieved three times. … Aldridge has scored the most points against the Thunder since 2006. Aldridge surpassed Dirk Nowitzki’s 876 points in the opening quarter.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Host Memphis on Sunday night.
Spurs: Host Denver on Monday night.
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