Manu Ginobili - Valiant Effort vs. Kevin Durant and the Thunder (2012 WCF Game 5, 34 points)

http://www.basketball-reference.com/b...

Manu Ginobili had 34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. However, the Spurs were defeated 108-103 in Game 5 of the WCF. The loss gave the Thunder a 3-2 series lead heading back to OKC. Ginobili sparked the Spurs offense and hit some timely shots when the Spurs were reeling. He lit up in the third quarter with 13 points. The Thunder regained control after he went to the bench and never trailed in the 4th quarter. The Spurs trailed 101-86 with 3 and a half minutes to play before Manu led one last charge to bring San Antonio within 2. Ginobili's game tying shot clanked off the back iron and sailed out of bounds, giving OKC the ball back with 3 seconds left.

Always tough watching my Spurs come up short. They were close to another Finals birth and maybe a 5th championship. The good news is that the Spurs redeemed themselves from their early exit in last years playoffs.

More Valiant Effort to come...playlist here -    • Valiant Effort