THE SPURS won 20 straight games, including 10 consecutive wins in the postseason, before dropping Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City on Thursday. Concord native Matt Bonner and the Spurs then lost to the Thunder, 109-103, in Game 4 at Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

Sunday News: It seems like coach Gregg Popovich has found a way to create matchups that favor the Spurs. In the first two games, the Thunder couldn't handle the pick-and-rolls and overmatched in the halfcourt.

Matt Bonner: It's kind of a chess match on whether to go small or go big. I think all the variations will be explored throughout the series. The other factor has been taking care of the ball and playing smart, offensively. In Game 1, we stuck with the plan and got hot in the fourth quarter and pulled off a comeback win.

SN: When coach Pop urged your team to “play nasty” in Game 1, what did you think?

MB: He just wanted us to play more aggressive. It's not nasty like playing dirty. He wanted us to be more physical, drive to the hoop harder, cut harder, be stronger with the ball.

SN: It's amazing how business-like the Spurs have been while answering questions from reporters. The Celtics sounded like they were satisfied after beating the 76ers, while the Spurs sounded like they hadn't accomplished anything yet.

MB: That's been our mentality. It's always been that way, whether it's the 20th game of the season against Minnesota or a game in the Western Conference finals. Nobody is going to be satisfied until we get that championship.

SN: It feels like the Heat are going to beat the Celtics is as many games as they want.

MB: I think the Heat are more talented, but the Celtics have the experience, and they're battle tested. That core group is a bunch of great competitors. I just know those guys are going to put up a fight.

SN: There is a perception among fans around here that the NBA wants Miami in the NBA Finals. A lot of people are complaining because they feel officials are pulling for certain teams and players. The quick technical fouls in Game 1 between the Celtics and Heat sort of set the tone.

MB: I think those technicals were a result of the officials trying to set the tone right away and to avoid what happened in the Heat-Pacers series when things got chippy and escalated. It got to the point there were flagrant fouls and guys were risking getting hurt. They want to call it extra tight when it comes to all that emotion and so things don't get out of control.

SN: How do you go about beating the Heat in the fourth quarter? It seems like the Celtics settle for outside shots too much.

MB: The Heat really turn up the pressure on defense in the fourth quarter. You have to match their aggressiveness on both ends. Offensively, you have to make sharp cuts, look for back doors and be strong with the ball. Don't let them create a turnover and give them breakaways and dunks and plays that are momentum changers.

Bonner discusses The NBA Life with radio broadcaster Chris Ryan and N.H. Union Leader reporter Kevin Gray. The interview appears weekly in the N.H. Sunday News, and the radio show can be heard Mondays at 6 p.m. on WGAM 1250 AM, WGHM 900 AM, WKXL 1450 AM and 103.9 FM.