Manu and Tony become the all-time winningest NBA playoff pair

And a full-team effort keeps playoff hopes alive.

The AT&T Center erupted Sunday as the Spurs took off against the reigning champs and never looked back. One of the biggest outcomes of the game, besides extending the series to a fifth game, is that Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili topped the list of the best postseason playoff duos in NBA History:

Having Spurs across the board in the top three spots is quite a sight, no doubt.

It was said that many things would have to go right for a Silver & Black victory, and they did.

First, LaMarcus Aldridge played with continued greatness, making plays and using his physicality to override JaVale McGee on multiple occasions. What can you say about Rudy Gay? The guy stole a McGee rebound and put back a dunk, setting the tone.

I had mentioned in the preview for Game 3 that Klay Thompson always has a poor game during any given series. This was his game. The sad inner monologue face was in full effect:

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

So good! But I wouldn’t count on him struggling again without the Spurs defense really suffocating on his catch-and-shoot.

The key to the victory — to any victory over the Dubs — is slowing Kevin Durant. At 34 points, the argument could be made he wasn’t slowed at all. But what Rudy Gay did was tire him out, so much so that by the end of the 4th, KD looked beat, missing a free throw and a couple of his last attempts. The negative of the Warriors continually going to him like they did is he eventually ran out of gas.

In the Open Thread on Saturday, a poll was taken asking which young Spur would be the x-factor. Forty one percent of you predicted Dejounte Murray, and you sure were right. The Spurs’ youngest starter had a monster afternoon hitting three 3s on his way to 12 points with 4 rebounds.

The Spurs avoided a first round sweep that would have left them winless in the post season, something that hasn’t happened since 1988’s Lakers knocked them out (albeit in a best of 5) in three games straight.

The Spurs are in great position. They know now not only what they must do, but they are acutely aware that they are capable of getting it done.

As the series heads back to Oakland, the Spurs must face the same uphill battle on the road. The only question is, will it get done?

Will lightning strike twice?

Welcome to The Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

Source: Pounding The Rock