2011 NBA Playoffs; Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook Guide OKC to Conference Finals
Kevin Durant was coming off his worst game in a long time. The scoring champ needed to do something about it. So, he decided to put on a great display of dunks, floaters, and threes.
It worked well.
Durant scored 39, Russell Westbrook put up a triple-double, and the Oklahoma City Thunder took over the third quarter and beat Memphis 105-90 to advance to the conference finals.
Oklahoma City made 20 of their 23 free throws, with all three misses coming from James Harden. However, he redeemed himself by draining four treys and scoring 17.
The Thunder bench tallied 42, while the Memphis bench only tallied 22. The Thunder are going to need a lot from the bench to survive the Mavericks, who's bench completely dominated LA's.
Nick Collison was huge for Oklahoma City. He stuffed the Grizzlies almost every time he got the chance, and he made some huge tip-ins. If Collison plays like this in the conference finals, the Mavericks may have a tough time.
With Oklahoma City up 50-46 in the third, they decided it was time to start playing. So Russell Westbrook fed Kevin Durant on an alley-oop, and after Mike Conley cut the lead to three, Durant stepped up.
OKC was on top 54-49 when Durant drained a three from the right wing, and after Durant made a floater, Harden stepped up. Harden got a pass, did a pumpfake, and knocked down a three from the opposite wing.
On the next possession, Russell Westbrook gave it to Durant in transition. Durant drained the shot, and the Thunder were up 14.
Harden made another huge play when he used his crossover to "cross up" the defender, and knock down a three with one second in the third. OKC led 72-58 after three.
It wasn't OKC's best series, as they gave up leads in games 3 and 4, failed to take Game 1, and were completely out-played in the second half of Game 6. But they survived, and the Thunder advanced.
Their reward? Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, Jose Juan Barea and the Mavericks. The team that swept the Lakers will be much more of a challenge. They are well-rested, while the Thunder get a day of rest, and they can shoot.
Barea isn't as good on the dribble drive and pass as Westbrook, and Dirk may not be as good as Durant, but Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic have been lights-out from downtown.
Jason Kidd can give up the ball and he will make the smart play, the one that gives Dallas a better chance at scoring. Durant and Westbrook will out-play Dirk and Kidd, but the efforts from the supporting cast will be too much for OKC.
The Thunder aren't exactly the most consistent team, as they struggled to take wins from the Nuggets and Grizzlies at home. The Thunder will need a win in games 1 or 2 to give themselves comfort.
Still, if Westbrook is passing like he was today, Nick Collison blocking and rebounding like he did today, and Durant is shooting like he did today, well, Oklahoma City might be headed to Chicago or Miami for the NBA Finals.
It worked well.
Durant scored 39, Russell Westbrook put up a triple-double, and the Oklahoma City Thunder took over the third quarter and beat Memphis 105-90 to advance to the conference finals.
Oklahoma City made 20 of their 23 free throws, with all three misses coming from James Harden. However, he redeemed himself by draining four treys and scoring 17.
The Thunder bench tallied 42, while the Memphis bench only tallied 22. The Thunder are going to need a lot from the bench to survive the Mavericks, who's bench completely dominated LA's.
Nick Collison was huge for Oklahoma City. He stuffed the Grizzlies almost every time he got the chance, and he made some huge tip-ins. If Collison plays like this in the conference finals, the Mavericks may have a tough time.
With Oklahoma City up 50-46 in the third, they decided it was time to start playing. So Russell Westbrook fed Kevin Durant on an alley-oop, and after Mike Conley cut the lead to three, Durant stepped up.
OKC was on top 54-49 when Durant drained a three from the right wing, and after Durant made a floater, Harden stepped up. Harden got a pass, did a pumpfake, and knocked down a three from the opposite wing.
On the next possession, Russell Westbrook gave it to Durant in transition. Durant drained the shot, and the Thunder were up 14.
Harden made another huge play when he used his crossover to "cross up" the defender, and knock down a three with one second in the third. OKC led 72-58 after three.
It wasn't OKC's best series, as they gave up leads in games 3 and 4, failed to take Game 1, and were completely out-played in the second half of Game 6. But they survived, and the Thunder advanced.
Their reward? Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, Jose Juan Barea and the Mavericks. The team that swept the Lakers will be much more of a challenge. They are well-rested, while the Thunder get a day of rest, and they can shoot.
Barea isn't as good on the dribble drive and pass as Westbrook, and Dirk may not be as good as Durant, but Jason Terry and Peja Stojakovic have been lights-out from downtown.
Jason Kidd can give up the ball and he will make the smart play, the one that gives Dallas a better chance at scoring. Durant and Westbrook will out-play Dirk and Kidd, but the efforts from the supporting cast will be too much for OKC.
The Thunder aren't exactly the most consistent team, as they struggled to take wins from the Nuggets and Grizzlies at home. The Thunder will need a win in games 1 or 2 to give themselves comfort.
Still, if Westbrook is passing like he was today, Nick Collison blocking and rebounding like he did today, and Durant is shooting like he did today, well, Oklahoma City might be headed to Chicago or Miami for the NBA Finals.
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