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San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided, prior to the team’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center, to rest Tim Duncan for the game. Quite the normal thing to do in most circmstances, right?

DeJuan Blair, their seldom-used forward-center, got the start in place of Duncan; based on how he did, it may become a regular occurrence. Blair set career highs, scoring 28 points and grabbing 21 rebounds, helping San Antonio edge Oklahoma City in overtime 109-108.

Blair had 10 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block as the Spurs opened a 10-point lead in the first 5 1/2 minutes, and the center was also busy setting screens to clear the way for Tony Parker, who had 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting in the first quarter. The lead reached 19 early in the second quarter before the Thunder stormed back with an 18-4 run, powered by eight points by Westbrook. But Blair and Parker took over again, scoring 12 of San Antonio’s points during a 20-8 push that restored the lead to 63-46 on Jefferson’s right-handed jam over Nenad Krstic with 28.4 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Thunder, who trailed by 19 in the first half, rallied back from an eight-point deficit in the final 4 minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime. Thabo Sefolosha finished off an 8-0 run with a two-handed slam to tie it at 97 with 57.6 seconds left, and Russell Westbrook was able to answer Parker’s jumper to even the score again. Antonio McDyess missed a 3-point attempt from the left wing at the end of regulation.

Kevin Durant put the Thunder up 108-106 on a 20-foot jumper from the right side with 1:28 left in overtime, and McDyess made one of two free throws to make it a one-point game. Jefferson then blocked Sefolosha’s shot to give the Spurs a chance to go ahead. After a Spurs full and 20-second timeout, the ball was inbounded to Richard Jefferson, who calmly hit a jumper with 9 seconds left, securing the win for San Antonio.

Blair and Parker led the Spurs in scoring, each adding 28 points – with Blair grabbing 21 boards along with 2 steals and 2 blocks while Parker made three 3-pointers, grabbed a rebound and dished out 8 assists; George Hill added 16 with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

The Thunder were led by Durant with a game-high 35 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a block but also committing 7 turnovers while Russell Westbrook chipped in 25 with 6 rebounds and 13 assists; Jeff Green added 16 with 10 rebounds and a steal.

San Antonio (24-13) plays again on Friday when they continue their road trip, visiting Charlotte to take on the Bobcats while Oklahoma City (21-17) makes the short trip to Dallas to face the Mavericks – also on Friday night.