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The Thunder evened the WCF series with the Spurs at 2-2, and we head to the pivotal game 5. Here is how each player performed!
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| KEVIN DURANT | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game stats) | 42 | 31 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +14 | |
| JUAN |  |
Kevin Durant had his best game of the series in game four. He shot the ball efficiently and made seven-consecutive shots in the first half that helped give the Thunder a big first-half lead. I also love that Durant had no turnovers against Kawhi Leonard, which is a pesky defender. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
The tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook worked absolutely, insanely, and incredibly phenomenal Tuesday night, combining for a crazy-high 71 points of the Thunder's 105 points, 31 of those going to the NBA MVP. Those two were great on both sides of the ball. Durant, though, shot lights out in the first half, and it was just flat-out fun to watch. | |||||||
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| RUSSELL WESTBROOK | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Game stats) | 46 | 40 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +11 | |
| JUAN |  |
There's Michael Jordan, and then there's Russell Westbrook. Before you start thinking I'm crazy, those are just the only two players in playoffs history that have had 40 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a game (not to mention an additional 5 boards to boot). That's pretty good company, right? That's two straight games that Westbrook has dominated Tony Parker, all the Thunder need is two more of those, and they might just be headed to another NBA Finals. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Mr. Westbrook went OFF. The aggression was high until the final buzzer sounded, and it showed. With 40 points and 10 assists, you cannot help but say, "Woah!" If you're Kevin Durant, though, you could be saying, "You looked like the real MVP!" | |||||||
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| THABO SEFOLOSHA | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game stats) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| JUAN |  |
Two straight DNP-CD's for Thabo Sefolosha, and unless the Thunder need to adjust again, or Reggie Jackson is hurt, we can expect more of these. He might as well get rest for a potential matchup against Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Thabo has not produced, and he paid the price in Tuesday's blowout by never even seeing the court. | |||||||
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| SERGE IBAKA | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 35 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +11 | |
| JUAN |  |
Second game back for Serge Ibaka and although he wasn't as good as he was in the game three, he was still pretty good. He sent back 3 blocks and caused more Spurs players to pump fake in the lane then the first three games combined. I just hope his calf can hold up for the rest of the series. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
It is so very nice to have the shot-blocking Serge Ibaka back in the starting lineup for the Thunder, and it showed yet again on Tuesday. With three blocks, along with eight boards and nine points, it just shows how much of a difference maker Ibaka is. | |||||||
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| KENDRICK PERKINS | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 23 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +8 | |
| JUAN |  |
Kendrick Perkins played 23 GREAT minutes last night. He was efficient (only took 1 shot), he was protecting the rim and he even got Tim Duncan so frustrated that he wanted to fight someone other than Joey Crawford. Perkins was spectacular. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Kendrick Perkins did not miss his only shot, and had ten boards. He was aggressive all-around and just flat out Kendrick. | |||||||
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| REGGIE JACKSON | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 14 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| JUAN |  |
Honestly, I don't even care about his performance last night. I'm just hoping that Reggie Jackson's ankle heals enough that he can be a factor for the last three games of this series. | |||||||
| ALEX | |
I'll cut Reggie Jackson even just due to the injury that he suffered in the first quarter. Although he was in pain, Reggie prevailed and finished with 13 minutes clocked in. It's nice to have him in the starting lineup instead of Thabo Sefolosha, who did not see the floor at all this evening. | |||||||
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| JEREMY LAMB | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 20 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +11 | |
| JUAN | |
Jeremy Lamb didn't shoot it well, but he's the type of scoring option that the Thunder need on the floor to give Westbrook and Durant room to operate. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Lamb did not shoot very effectively, only shooting 2-7 from the field, while totaling seven points. Lamb is speedy, and can always demand attention, even when he is not scoring. | |||||||
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| STEVEN ADAMS | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 26 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +5 | |
| JUAN |  |
Steven Adams wasn't as effective as he was in game three, but he was still so aggressive and good. These playoffs have shown so much potential for Kiwi Strong, that it's actually making me smile as I write this. | |||||||
| ALEX | |
I love every aspect of the game of Steven Adams. If you didn't know he was a rookie, you would not guess it. He plays so well, and provides great minutes whether it is off the bench or starting. Scoring could be better, but the screens he sets are always effective. The only issue with his game is the personal fouls that he earns in a short period of time. Other than that, fantastic game from Mr. Adams. | |||||||
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| NICK COLLISON | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | |
| JUAN | |
Nick Collison got some more garbage time and he seems to be out of the rotation again, but that doesn't stop him from dishing out great touch passes in the lane to Steven Adams. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Nicky C clocked in five minutes without a stat, besides two personal fouls. He is really, really tall, so it's in his nature, though. | |||||||
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| CARON BUTLER | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 23 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +5 | |
| JUAN |  |
Caron Butler didn't make any long distance calls Tuesday night, but he did give the Thunder some really solid minutes. | |||||||
| ALEX | |
Caron is a great veteran. He does what he needs to while providing quality minutes. No fouls and four points in 23 minutes is not a bad day. | |||||||
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| DEREK FISHER | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | |
| JUAN |  |
You know it's the Thunder's night when Derek Fisher takes and hits a three late in the fourth quarter and Reggie Miller says "why not?" I don't know why I found that so funny. Fish did make 1 more three-pointer last night than the Knicks made all post-season, though. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
Fish provided his sub-10 minutes from the bench, and did what he needed to do on both sides of the ball. No issue from a veteran there! | |||||||
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| PERRY JONES III | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
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| (Game Stats) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | |
| JUAN | |
Garbage time again for Perry Jones and he made his only shot. Superstar. | |||||||
| ALEX |  |
One minute and two points. That'd be 96 points if he played all 48 minutes! | |||||||
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| HASHEEM THABEET | GRADE | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BL | ST | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Game Stats) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| JUAN | |
Caron Butler needs to start hitting his three's so we can see Hasheem Thabeet pick up his phone and call someone again. Please, Caron. | |||||||
| ALEX | |
Cut a man even who did not play even, right? | |||||||
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| SCOTT BROOKS | Coaching Grade | |||||||
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| JUAN | |
I'm not going to go as far as to say that Scott Brooks has out-coached Gregg Popovich, because it helps when you have 71 points between two players on your team. BUT, Scott Brooks has made all the right adjustments and substitutions since the horrible game two loss. Game five is going to be crucial because you know Popovich is going to come up with something and Brooks has to be ready. | ||||||
| ALEX |  |
Something changed defensively, and it showed by the score. The staff allowed KD and Westbrook to control the game, and the result was pleasing. | ||||||
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| TEAM GRADE | GRADE | FG% | 3P% | AST | REB | BL | ST | TO |
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| (Advanced Stats) | 48.7 | 43.8 | 22 | 42 | 8 | 12 | 7 | |
| JUAN | |
Another amazing performance by OKC with their backs against the wall. They played like a way more athletic version of the Spurs, and that's the best compliment anyone can get. They only turned the ball over 7 times with 22 assists. They shot the three-pointer extremely well and were at 50% shooting for most of the game. KD and Westbrook are starting to click like they did | ||||||
| ALEX |  |
All in all, that was some of the best Thunder basketball in a long time. Yeah, there were some unpleasant mistakes here-and there, but the team played really, really well. It was fun to watch. | ||||||
*All player images via US Presswire
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