2012 NBA Playoffs: Breaking Down Oklahoma City's Game 3 Spanking of Dallas
Kevin Durant wasn't playing up to his full potential, and as a result, the Thunder barely won Games 1 and 2.
But in Game 3, Durant played up to his full potential. And as a result, Oklahoma City dominated Dallas.
Durant scored 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting, as Oklahoma City crushed Dallas, 95-79. Russell Westbrook added 20, and the Thunder took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
While OKC's stars scored points and shot well, its defense was also great. Dallas shot just 34.2 percent, and Dirk Nowitzki was held to just 17 points. The Mavs turned the ball over 15 times and played sloppily.
In the first two and a half quarters, Dallas was in the game. OKC would make a couple shots to take a double-digit lead, and then the Mavericks would cut the lead to single digits in a matter of minutes. This pattern continued into the third quarter, but the Thunder put a stop to it.
OKC led, 60-50, when Russell Westbrook swished a three from the top of the key. On its next possession, Thabo Sefolosha drained a triple from the left wing, putting the Thunder up, 66-50.
After Dallas cut the lead to 11, they went away for good. The Mavericks tired out and didn't hustle, which led to a 15-1 run by the Thunder. Derek Fisher scored seven of those points on a three, a jumper and a layup. After knocking down two threes and finishing with 10 points, Fisher now averages seven points per game this series.
Dallas showed signs of age throughout Game 3, but mostly towards the end. It settled for jump shots instead of trying to drive to the basket, even when Derek Fisher was on defense. Fisher was beaten a couple of times, so Dallas could've tried to exploit Fisher.
Instead, they tried to shoot long jumpers. The Thunder got up in their face, and the tenacity did the trick, as they held Dallas to just 34.2 percent from the field and 79 points.
Game 3 was a game of runs. Oklahoma City started off fast, as Durant scored 15 in the first quarter. He shot very well throughout the game, and he had a lot of great looks. OKC only shot 42.4 percent, but it made 12 threes.
By swinging the ball around, the Thunder kept the Mavs on their feet, and by the end of the third quarter, they tired out. The Thunder took advantage by running up and down the court and getting easy baskets and open jumpers, which led to them building a 26-point lead.
What the Thunder also did by passing was create good shots for their stars. Durant got a lot of great looks, which is why he shot so well. Westbrook also got good looks, and he took advantage by shooting 8-for-19. Derek Fisher hoisted nine shots as well, and he made four of them.
The main lesson we learned from this game is that Oklahoma City is too fast and athletic for Dallas. The Mavericks aren't able to keep up with the Thunder, and OKC has been able to exploit that weakness by creating great scoring opportunities.
When Dallas uses up its energy on defense, it doesn't play offense as well, which is why Kendrick Perkins was able to get in Dirk's face and shut him down. With Dirk struggling and the team worn out, there wasn't much Dallas could do to swing Game 3 in its favor.
Down 3-0, the Mavericks aren't going to swing the series in their favor, either.
But in Game 3, Durant played up to his full potential. And as a result, Oklahoma City dominated Dallas.
Durant scored 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting, as Oklahoma City crushed Dallas, 95-79. Russell Westbrook added 20, and the Thunder took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
While OKC's stars scored points and shot well, its defense was also great. Dallas shot just 34.2 percent, and Dirk Nowitzki was held to just 17 points. The Mavs turned the ball over 15 times and played sloppily.
In the first two and a half quarters, Dallas was in the game. OKC would make a couple shots to take a double-digit lead, and then the Mavericks would cut the lead to single digits in a matter of minutes. This pattern continued into the third quarter, but the Thunder put a stop to it.
OKC led, 60-50, when Russell Westbrook swished a three from the top of the key. On its next possession, Thabo Sefolosha drained a triple from the left wing, putting the Thunder up, 66-50.
After Dallas cut the lead to 11, they went away for good. The Mavericks tired out and didn't hustle, which led to a 15-1 run by the Thunder. Derek Fisher scored seven of those points on a three, a jumper and a layup. After knocking down two threes and finishing with 10 points, Fisher now averages seven points per game this series.
Dallas showed signs of age throughout Game 3, but mostly towards the end. It settled for jump shots instead of trying to drive to the basket, even when Derek Fisher was on defense. Fisher was beaten a couple of times, so Dallas could've tried to exploit Fisher.
Instead, they tried to shoot long jumpers. The Thunder got up in their face, and the tenacity did the trick, as they held Dallas to just 34.2 percent from the field and 79 points.
Game 3 was a game of runs. Oklahoma City started off fast, as Durant scored 15 in the first quarter. He shot very well throughout the game, and he had a lot of great looks. OKC only shot 42.4 percent, but it made 12 threes.
By swinging the ball around, the Thunder kept the Mavs on their feet, and by the end of the third quarter, they tired out. The Thunder took advantage by running up and down the court and getting easy baskets and open jumpers, which led to them building a 26-point lead.
What the Thunder also did by passing was create good shots for their stars. Durant got a lot of great looks, which is why he shot so well. Westbrook also got good looks, and he took advantage by shooting 8-for-19. Derek Fisher hoisted nine shots as well, and he made four of them.
The main lesson we learned from this game is that Oklahoma City is too fast and athletic for Dallas. The Mavericks aren't able to keep up with the Thunder, and OKC has been able to exploit that weakness by creating great scoring opportunities.
When Dallas uses up its energy on defense, it doesn't play offense as well, which is why Kendrick Perkins was able to get in Dirk's face and shut him down. With Dirk struggling and the team worn out, there wasn't much Dallas could do to swing Game 3 in its favor.
Down 3-0, the Mavericks aren't going to swing the series in their favor, either.
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