(The Sports Xchange) – An unusual situation for San Antonio led to a series of atypical plays and unexpected strategy in the Spurs’ 110-107 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in Game 5 of their Western Conference semi-final series at the AT&T Center.
With Kawhi Leonard out of the game for the stretch run due to a left ankle injury, it was up to the Spurs’ role players to step up in the final five minutes of regulation and the overtime period — and they did.
Danny Green scored 16 points, including San Antonio’s final seven, and Manu Ginobili blocked a potential game-tying 3-point attempt by James Harden in the final second to propel the Spurs.
The win gave San Antonio a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 6 set for today in Houston.
If the Rockets win today, Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in San Antonio, with the Golden State Warriors waiting in the wings and resting for the Western Conference finals.