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DeRozan missed his second consecutive game for
personal reasons, caring for his father.
Walker has had two of his top three scoring games in the past
two, as he scored 25 on Sunday in the Thunder's loss at
Minnesota.
Against the Thunder, Walker and Dejounte Murray each scored 10
in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs hold on.
The Spurs finished their five-game road trip 4-1, including wins
over the Lakers and Clippers.
Playing without DeRozan again, the Spurs used defense to fuel
their offense.
San Antonio forced 13 Thunder turnovers, converting them into 26
points on the other end while Oklahoma City managed just two
points off four Spurs turnovers.
The Spurs took control initially in the second quarter,
finishing with a 15-7 run over the final six-plus minutes.
Oklahoma City was just 2 of 10 from the floor with a pair of
turnovers during that stretch.
The Thunder hung in the game with offense -- and free-throw
shooting -- late but after cutting it to four, 100-96, with a
little more than three minutes to go, Oklahoma City couldn't get
a stop to pull any closer. The Spurs then hit free throws in the
closing moments to stretch the lead once more.
Six Spurs scored in double figures, with Keldon Johnson adding
18 and Patty Mills 17. LaMarcus Aldridge had 13 points, 10
rebounds and six assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 20 points, going 7
of 10 from the field. Hamidou Diallo added 16 off the bench.
The Thunder, playing at home for the first time since Dec. 31,
fell to 0-4 in Chesapeake Energy Arena. Oklahoma City is 5-1 on
the road.
--Field Level Media
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