Thompson, Curry Go Cold in Game 5 Loss to Spurs

May 14, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (top) puts up a shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half in game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the AT

In one of the worst nights for the Warrior backcourt, the Spurs were able to take a 3-2 series lead by pure execution. Tonight, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green were able to stifle Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry into 13 points on one made 3-point shot. It was an ugly game for the Warriors, who’s season is on the line in game six. The Spurs will be fighting to get to the conference finals, and the Warriors will be fighting just to stay alive. Tonight, the Spurs dominated the Warriors 109-91 in a brilliant performance from Tony Parker.

In taking a 3-2 series lead, the Spurs have the Warriors right where they want them, in a deathly grip. The Spurs are capable of winning and upsetting the Warriors in Oracle, their home, we know this but. The Warriors are also capable of winning in San Antonio, but as an inexperienced 6th seeded team, it seems more and more unlikely that this is going to happen. If the series goes to seven, the Warriors could be taken down, no problem. So far, no team has won back to back games in the series.

Tonight, the Spurs were absolutely on their game, as Parker scored 25 points and added 10 assists. Tim Duncan, who couldn’t be guarded early on scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds, and Manu Ginobli, who wasn’t too big of a problem until the Warriors were trying to make their final rally, scored 10 points and added five rebounds and five assists. The Warrior defense wasn’t too shabby until the second half, where they let the game slip away.

In the first quarter, the Spurs had outscored the Warriors 37-28, and had all the momentum. It was really capped off by a couple of nice drives from Parker, and some neglectful defense had the Warriors in a whole from which they never escaped. Like game 3, the Spurs were able to gain some separation, and stifle the Warrior back court, who had been pretty consistent up until this game.

In the second quarter, however, it was all Warriors, taking back their momentum, and finishing strong to cut the deficit to 3 at 54-51. It was a good quarter for the Warriors who tried to start the second half strong, but unfortunately, Jarrett Jack and Harrison Barnes were the only ones contributing on offense. Mark Jackson is going to have to find a way to counter what the Spurs did this game.

The second half just seemed endless for the Warriors, who found themselves down by as many as 18 at some points. In a very pivotal game 5, the Spurs came out to play and attacked the Warriors in their Achilles’ heel. They ran Curry to exhaustion on defense, and seemingly cut off Thompson’s supply of oxygen, meaning he got absolutely no space. It was a big game, and hey, tip your hats to the Spurs, as they really showed why they’re a superpower.