Photo credit: @ESPN

By: Eric He

Behind lockdown defense and 26 points from Kevin Durant, the Warriors beat the Spurs 110-97 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series. They are one win away from a sweep and a trip to the second round.

The Warriors used a stellar third quarter to take control of the game, making a run out of halftime to go up by double digits and take a 12-point lead into the fourth. Klay Thompson’s shooting helped close the deal. His deep three off an offensive rebound kept the Warriors ahead by double digits, and he finished with 19 points.

The two teams were fairly even in the first half as both sides struggled offensively. The Warriors could not buy a 3-pointer early, but came alive from distance in these second half.

Meanwhile, the Warriors held the Spurs to just 43 percent shooting and 21 percent from 3-point range. They clamped down on LaMarcus Aldridge and the Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs, who did not have the firepower to match the Warriors’ second half spurt.

They held their breaths late when both Durant and Shaun Livingston rolled their ankles, but both were able to walk away without assistance.Game 4 will be Sunday in San Antonio as the Warriors eye a sweep.