It took both the old guard and new school to get the Spurs past the Thunder on Friday.
Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard led the way for San Antonio, helping the team to a 100-96 victory in Oklahoma City to take a 2-1 lead in the second-round Western Conference semifinal series.
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Leonard led the way with 31 points and 11 rebounds, with Parker adding 19 points, eight rebounds and a team-high five assists. Parker has increasingly taken a back seat on offense the past couple of seasons, while Leonard has emerged as a go-to-guy for the Spurs along with LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 24 points Friday.
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"I got a couple more shots than usual. I just tried to be aggressive," Parker told ESPN after the game. " It was all about the team and Kawhi and LaMarcus . . . they were unbelievable. I just tried to do my part."
In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers erased a double-digit, second-half deficit to beat the Hawks 121-108 and take a 3-0 series lead.
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The Cavs trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, but once again used 3-point shooting to their advantage. One game after hitting an NBA-record 25 3-pointers, the Cavs went 21 for 39 against the Hawks. They can close out the series Sunday with a victory in Game 4. History says it will happen, as the Hawks have lost all 11 postseason games against the Cavs in franchise history.
Tweet of the Night
Aldridge cooled off Friday, scoring "only" 24 points, but these are some of the sweetest low-post moves you'll find in the game.
Do work, LA, do work! pic.twitter.com/WnJxHsweNZ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 7, 2016
Stud of the Night
Channing Frye came up with a clutch performance that no one saw coming. He put up 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting — including a 7-for-9 performance from the 3-point line — to help the Cavs go up 3-0 on the Hawks.
Dud of the Night
The Hawks' forward combo of Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha just wasn’t good enough. The two went 4 for 10 from the field and scored only 11 points, while Kevin Love and LeBron James combined for 45 points and 28 rebounds.
Looking ahead
Raptors at Heat, Game 3, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN (series tied 1-1): The Raptors will look to take the momentum from their Game 2 win down South to regain control of the series.
Warriors at Trail Blazers, Game 3, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC (Golden State leads 2-0): The Trail Blazers are in a familiar position, down 0-2 heading home. If they have any chance of winning this series, taking Game 3 is a must for them. With Stephen Curry doubtful to play, the Blazers have to feel pretty good about their chances.