OKLAHOMA CITY — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich shut the question down like a shot-blocker protecting the rim.

He was asked about the success the Spurs have found in defending Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant so far in the Western Conference semifinals.

“They both scored a thousand points,” Popovich said. “I don’t remember stopping anybody.”

Truth be told, the Spurs will live with what they coaxed out of Westbrook in their 100-96 win in Game 3 on Friday.

The OKC point guard tallied 31 points, but he was 10 of 31 from the field, including 3 of 10 from 3-point range.

He took 13 more shots than Durant, the NBA’s third-leading scorer during the regular season.

“It starts with me,” Westbrook said. “I’ve got to do a better job of putting guys in position to score the basketball. Especially to beat this team.”

Heading into a crucial Game 4 on Sunday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, with the Spurs up 2-1, Westbrook vows to make better decisions.

He is averaging 24.7 points and shooting 34.4 percent in the series, while making only 4 of 17 3-point shots.

Durant is averaging 23.3 points while shooting 51.9 percent.

“They are going to score,” Popovich said. “They are Hall of Fame-type players. As a group, we just try to do the best job we can.”

History as a guide: The Spurs have won 16 of 20 best-of-seven series under Popovich when taking a 2-1 lead.

Their recent history, however, has not been as stellar. Three of those series losses have come in the past four seasons - in 2012 against OKC, 2013 in the Finals against Miami and last season against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Based on that history, the Spurs are expecting the Thunder to play Game 4 with a sense of desperation.

“That’s the way it is in the playoffs,” forward Boris Diaw said. “The team that lost is always trying to get a win to survive and keep it going for as long as possible. For sure, they’re going to play with a lot of energy at home.”

Big-time pass: Tim Duncan played two seconds of the fourth quarter Friday, but his late contribution to the victory was no less vital.

Inserted to inbound the ball with the Spurs’ clinging to a two-point lead — a situation similar to the one that almost flummoxed OKC in Game 2 - Duncan lofted a perfect rainbow to Kawhi Leonard, who then hit the game-sealing foul shots.

“To bring him in late in the game to make that pass, it was pretty big time,” forward LaMarcus Aldridge said.

Going the distance: Given what’s at stake in Game 4, Durant says he’s willing to play all 48 minutes if needed.

“Whatever coach needs me to do, I’m willing to do,” said Durant, who is averaging 39 minutes in the series. “Everybody on our team has been laying their body out there. I’ll lay it all out there for my team.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Staff writer Tom Orsborn contributed to this report