Doug Pensinger/NBAE/Getty Images
The Thunder’s up three games to none over Denver. They walked into an incredibly hostile place and pulled out an unbelievably gritty win to put themselves in an excellent position to finish this series and move on to the second round.
But whoa boy, it did not come easy.
(Remember, the Thunder won the game. They’re up 3-0. Remember that.)
Oklahoma City did an unbelievable job of withstanding a barrage of free throws in the third quarter by Denver to which the Nuggets took a 73-71 lead into the fourth and every drop of momentum there could be into the fourth. The Thunder didn’t execute by any means, but behind four straight stops and holding Denver without a bucket for almost five minutes, OKC stretched out to a comfortable lead late in the game. Russell Westbrook dropped a big shot. The Thunder dominated the glass. It was a textbook close of a team on the road.
And then Kendrick Perkins decided he wanted to throw a pretty stupid pass. With 40 seconds left and the Thunder ahead by eight, Perk attempted to find Serge Ibaka with a full-court heave that fell innocently out of bounds. The Nuggets had life. After a couple missed free throws and a couple J.R. Smith 3-pointers, we found ourselves with the Thunder only ahead by three, 97-94, with 10.5 seconds left and the Nuggets in possession.
Um, crap.
The ball would find Smith once again who tried to get James Harden to bite on a pump before going up for the shot. I’m sure the good people in the Rocky Mountains saw a clear foul on the shot, but even tossing aside every Thunder bone in my body, I just don’t see one. Harden was straight up and the contact created was by Smith on the follow-through to Harden’s arms which were pointed at the ceiling. (You be the judge on it.)
Point is, the Thunder tried to completely crap away an incredible playoff win. They didn’t though. They’re still up 3-0 and in position to close this out Monday night. It was all about stops and rebounding, two things the Thunder executed superbly. Both Westbrook and Kevin Durant never got entirely on track going a combined 13-37 for 49 points. This time it was Serge Ibaka stepping up with 22 huge points, 16 even huger rebounds and four bigger than huge blocks. He was a total beast and the difference for the Thunder.
Sans the last 40 seconds, OKC’s defense in the fourth quarter was pretty much unreal. The Nuggets had no idea where to go with the ball and couldn’t find even an inch of open floor for a clean look. The Thunder weren’t scoring much either but it was a point here, a basket there and before you knew it, OKC had taken a two-point lead to eight. And so we thought, locked up the game. Obviously OKC didn’t get the memo this morning that NBA games do in fact last 48 minutes and not 47. I think the Thunder mentally checked out with 45 seconds left and started the party a bit early.
All that doesn’t matter though. In the end, all it changes is how people like me have to recap the game. Because the Thunder’s up three games to none. They could’ve won 2-0 on a Kendrick Perkins’ fadeaway jumper and all that matters is that they had more points. It’s about surviving these situations and the Thunder stepped up in a scary moment and a scary place to win a game against a completely desperate team. The Nuggets knew Saturday night was pretty much do or die. They were the wounded dog trying to fight for their life. That’s a tough environment to win in, especially for a young group that never had done such a thing. But OKC rose to the challenge and put the Nuggets away, and maybe the series with defense.
NOTES:
- The Nuggets are going to have to look at themselves for a long time wondering what happened at the free throw line. They missed 15 (30-45) but for a good part of the game were just around 50 percent.
- Foul trouble nearly killed OKC. Perk, Nick Collison, James Harden, KD, Westbrook and Serge Ibaka all were in some sort of foul situation to start the fourth quarter. The Thunder finished the game without anyone disqualified, but it was sort of a miracle, especially with the way the fouls piled up in the third.
- On that third quarter, I’ll put it this way: The Nuggets took 18 free throws. OKC took two. I was frustrated.
- Both Westbrook and Durant were hit with technicals in the third quarter. That should say something about it. I feared the Thunder were going to lose their composure a bit there but they hung together.
- The Nuggets came out with a ton of emotion and their crowd was rocking early on. It really felt like the Thunder were just going to have to weather the first half and hopefully make a run in the third. Except OKC dominated the second quarter 30-18 and took a good seven-point lead to halftime. Those last four minutes of the second quarter may have been what won OKC this game.
- On the final play, how about Nene’s headlock on Westbrook? Also, Smith traveled pretty blatantly too. Just wanted to say so.
- When Arron Afflalo came out and hit those first two 3s and then that long 2, I was absolutely terrified. But after that, he wasn’t a factor. He finished with 13 on just 4-12 shooting.
- Overlooked: KD had six assists and Russell Westbrook nearly notched a triple-double (23-8-9).
- Serge Ibaka’s line one more time: 22 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. I don’t mean to pick on him, but Jeff Green would never have done something like that, not even against a high school team.
- The Thunder went seven and a half minutes without a basket spanning the third and fourth quarters. And they won!
- How about KD’s stuff of Afflalo despite having five fouls? Ballsy KD. Ballsy.
- Actual Scott Brooks “Wired” segment: “Get some stops here, get some stops here and we’re gonna make a shot.” Coaching!
- I got asked a lot but I’m going to take a pass on the SonicsGate supporters behind the Thunder bench. I moved on from that stuff three years ago.
- Ibaka has absolutely not concept of time or situation. If you handed him a bomb that had a giant ticking clock counting down, he’d just pivot and pumpfake until the thing went off. Note to the Thunder: Don’t give Serge the ball in late shot clock situations. He has no idea what to do.
- How about Ibaka going 10-10 from the line though?
- How about all the how abouts in this recap?
- The TGR guys recapped the game. Have a listen here.
- The Thunder won this game despite shooting just 36 percent. The Nuggets shot only 37 percent. Like I said, all about defense, rebounding and the fact OKC made a few more free throws. It’s how you win in knock down drag out games like this.
I don’t need to tell you but no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. That number’s a bit more daunting than the 94 percent thing. But at the same time, that sort of stuff is pretty scary, because there’s always a first. I vote the Thunder just finishes this thing up Monday night and gives us all a good few days off of rest.
Next up: Game 4 in Denver Monday.
Ozarkhick :@Isaac7985
Predicting a win is not in the same ballpark, planet, or universe that Kiszla is right now. Get real. Carlson is predicting a victory next game (which Kiszla has) because we played terrible (we have) while Kiszla has predicted victories for Denver with even less justification. Get real. Kiszla sounds like a not-too bright 8 year old with personality issues.
Feinstein did right a nice recap, at least he isn’t a homer like the majority of Stiff posters who still somehow are imagining Harden fouled Smith, to the contrary of any evidence from any angle on camera anyone has seen.
There is a reason we have been harping on Denver Stiffs, sir. We have looked at lots of opponent’s boards, and never before have we seen a lower content quality, and less intelligent, more vulgar, homer, blindly ignorant posters than on any other site. Also, the Denver post seems to have surpassed even our own very low opinion of our local paper’s reportage.
atleast don't write like a hick when putting down someone else. "right a nice recap"? Embarassing.
Spencer Hawes aint acared of nobody. I liek that. But Bron looked fucking feroucious. Heat vs Thunder = Best possible Finals Scenario. Kobe, now, boring to watch
@Isaac7985
Predicting a win is not in the same ballpark, planet, or universe that Kiszla is right now. Get real. Carlson is predicting a victory next game (which Kiszla has) because we played terrible (we have) while Kiszla has predicted victories for Denver with even less justification. Get real. Kiszla sounds like a not-too bright 8 year old with personality issues.
Feinstein did right a nice recap, at least he isn't a homer like the majority of Stiff posters who still somehow are imagining Harden fouled Smith, to the contrary of any evidence from any angle on camera anyone has seen.
There is a reason we have been harping on Denver Stiffs, sir. We have looked at lots of opponent's boards, and never before have we seen a lower content quality, and less intelligent, more vulgar, homer, blindly ignorant posters than on any other site. Also, the Denver post seems to have surpassed even our own very low opinion of our local paper's reportage.
David :
Watching the JR smith final shot again, one of the denver players didn’t set a screen and let harden through
Someone else said it, but Smith totally traveled before he took the shot. There should be no complaining because that little hop he took while holding the ball should have been called. Plus Nene totally manhandled Westbrook.
@walrusmuse
@ChuckPete
That piece was pretty silly and stupid, but not as much as the one by Jenni Carlson in today's Oklahoman pronouncing on no uncertain terms that the Thunder will sweep and the series is not coming back to OKC ( http://www.newsok.com/carlson-thunders-next-game-in-okc-wont-be-against-denver/article/3561719?custom_click=lead_story_title ). She apparently knows the Thunder going to win Monday because they didn't play their best basketball yesterday and still won. I know she's not the best sportswriter the Oklahoman has, but that is just straight-up dumb to be publishing stuff like that. These writers like Carlson and Kiszla who write in the moment without regard for facts wouldn't even be good bloggers or forum commentators, so they certainly shouldn't be employed to write this drivel.
Happy Easter!
Haha: How about all the how abouts? Good, fun stuff, Royce
Watching the JR smith final shot again, one of the denver players didn't set a screen and let harden through
ha oh wow a little late with that one.
Hey check out this article basically raving about Serge. Watch the video too. I'm so excited about our team..
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/04/24/thunder-nuggets-recap/
Daniel Plainview :
From NBA.com:
After Ibaka’s dunk, Smith launched a long three-pointer from the right side just before the buzzer that could have tied the score. It banged off the backboard, with Smith insisting to an official he was hacked by Thunder guard James Harden.
Wasnt it an airball? or am I confused?
yes, it was an airball.
ChuckPete :
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_17917982
for anyone that wants a good read…and by good read I mean I can’t believe this guy is paid to write for anyone…
I didn't know Reggie Miller was soft.
on the one hand, i thought he was owning up well to the Nuggets' shortcomings, then all of a sudden it was passive aggressive left and right.
Darnell said in his game notes that at one point in the game a person asked him if we had Windows 97 in Oklahoma yet, and Darnell just felt sorry for him. I agree with DM there.
If the Nugs think Durant is soft, then they protest too much, i think. KD definitely had issues with physical (often blatantly illegal) guarding, but he has stepped up on everyone from Ron Ron to LeBron in the past couple of months.
From NBA.com:
After Ibaka's dunk, Smith launched a long three-pointer from the right side just before the buzzer that could have tied the score. It banged off the backboard, with Smith insisting to an official he was hacked by Thunder guard James Harden.
Wasnt it an airball? or am I confused?
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_17917982
for anyone that wants a good read...and by good read I mean I can't believe this guy is paid to write for anyone...
88 free throws? Is that abnormal? Thats 3 games in a row we have had less shots at the FT line.
James Church :
KDs block on Afflalo with the 5 fouls broke the Ball-o-meter.
It was sweet. I only saw one angle, looked clean, not saying it was. When KD sets out to swat, he can easily rack them up. 3, tonight, has 4 against Lakers last year in one game
I still Sefolosha has a decent cutting and driving game, he just never uses it. I said decent.
@James Church
and my oh crap o meter.
I did notice HArden being used a bit more last night, even if he hasn't been as tenacious lately (settling a little bit more for jumpers or passing out of a driving lane). Of course, this is also because he is facing a decent frontcourt that by now knows to try and keep him from driving and drawing a foul.
But man does the offense begin to breathe when he comes in (or even Cook, who is rarely out when James isnt). And we saw last night that his D is often outstanding.
KDs block on Afflalo with the 5 fouls broke the Ball-o-meter.
Again, I just wanted to say that I thought Westbrook had a great game, he lowered his USG% by 6% while increasing his AST% by 10% and had a TS% of 55% while scoring 23%. He also only took maybe 4 ill-advised pull ups with time on the shot clock (he hit two of them). I also think he played hard on the defensive end for the first time in the series. The only thing I would change is that he drive to the basket just a little bit more and try to run more screen and rolls with durant instead of just Isoing durant, but that might just have been the call Brooks made. Really just outstanding control of the game.
Also, where is everyone going for thier in-game stats? I used to go to NBA.com but in the playoffs they have this weird and totally lame new format for the box score. Is there any in-game box score that gives you advance states (in particular TS%, USG%, OR%, AST%)?
I like game 3 for OKC. We played more like a team. Charles was right in some way. We did not play together. But even though shots didnt fall as we would like. We came out with a win with team effort. Which has to be done on the road.
@justin
Yeah, I know he was talking trash. But I still agree with the point (you) made.
My biggest fear heading into this game was Russ's Usage % has consistantly increased for about 3 months. Well this game it was only 27.4% which is just about perfect. Durant's also dropped to 29% which is again good. Ibaka's was abnormally high at 20% which is most likely not going to continue (at least not with a TS % of 63%)but what I really liked is that as a team we moved the ball much better, we got others involved and fed the hot hand instead of forcing contested jumpers (too much). I would like to see Harden's useage go up from 14% but I still think that Westbrook and Durant have shooting guard PTD from playing with Thabo so long.
@Thunder247
LOL he was copying and pasting a comment I made in the game thread, okc baby isn't capable of such fertile insight.
Some of the comments over at Denverstiffs keep referring to people bringing nooses to the Nuggetts playoff games. Is this just some bizarro urban legend that has taken hold at that fan site? Does anybody have any clue what those guys are talking about?
okc baby :Seriously Ibaka has been terrible from mid range. He’s got to do better if our starting unit is going to be productive consitently.
Stop crying about refs, Ibaka can’t shoot in this series and Thabo is awful at guarding players like Afflalo. We’re lucky we’re only down a few.
Other then the "We’re lucky we’re only down a few." comment (becasue we are up 3-0, I completely agree, you hit that one on the head.
@okc baby
Ibaka is 5-18 from midrange in the series, he did most of his damage at the FT line. He has to make shots from mid range if our starting unit offense is going to work consistently, for sure. Our ORTG in this game was 102.something, not very good. Our defense won us the game...
@justin
See i get that, Denver is a good team and I dont think many people, even the most die hard Thunder fans, could say they were not at least a little worried about this series. I also understand that some guys just look at the record and the standings so of course a 4-5 seed with a young team is the most likely to get upset. I just want to know when the "experts" are going to actually take a look at the Thunder and not just how they look on paper. Not a single ESPN guy picked us in less than 6 games.
andrew :
Collison-Ibaka needs to be our crunchtime frontcourt. I don’t think any of us have faith in Perk to make good decisions with the ball in the last 3 minutes of the game.
Also, I asked Draftexpress about Ibaka’s age on twitter tonight:
DraftExpress
Yes, but no more than a year or two. Don’t think he knows his actual age either. RT @andrewmohr: Think Ibaka is older than his stated age?
Probably the best answer we will ever get to that question.
Who cares how old he really is, apparently Sam Presti isn't all that concerned. Serge COULD be 35yrs old, as long as he's playing at this level in the playoffs, who really cares? :)
Seriously Ibaka has been terrible from mid range. He’s got to do better if our starting unit is going to be productive consitently.
Stop crying about refs, Ibaka can’t shoot in this series and Thabo is awful at guarding players like Afflalo. We’re lucky we’re only down a few.
Let's go for da sweep tomorrow!!!! Thunder Up!!!!!
I posted most of this in the game thread but I did not want to retype it:
- Stat of the night, Denver made 6 threes, Thabo was directly responsible for four of them. I mean he was responsible because he was of doing what ever he does while his man got a wide open shot. Cook also got beat for one, I don’t remember who gave up our last one. But our “best” defender again gets smoked on the three point line. At this point I bet it is in the scouting report: “Drive towards Thabo and then pass it to his man who will be wide open for three”…..
Hollinger and others liked Denver because for good reason. Hollinger is one of the stat heads that picked the Thunder in the series against what his metrics stated, though. We just had too much in our favor, and I don't think enough has been made about how poor a playoff coach George Karl tends to be. His teams seem to perform worse in the playoffs....
One more closer look at the genius that is Rick
http://firerickreilly.com/2011/02/10/rick-reilly-wears-ed-hardy-shirts-and-talks-to-kevin-durant/
@Brad
Little post over at WTLC about just that statement
http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2011/4/15/2113369/rick-reilly-dreaming-about-denver-nuggets
Sorry I'm so late to the party as always. Just finished watching the game after going the whole day without knowing the outcome and WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We won again!
I can't believe it. This team is so amazing. I fully expected this to be a loss with Denver going back home, getting Afflalo back and/or us have a letdown, but nope. The guys stayed focused, played OUTSTANDING 4th quarter defense and made shots when it counted.
I wish it didn't have to be so damn close at the end, but at least we held on. Great defense by Harden at the very end there on Smith. I was actually wondering if we should've fouled Nene with under 10 seconds left, when he was holding the ball so long. He would've gone to the line for 2, with us up 3. But I guess it doesn't matter now.
I agree with everyone that Russ really played great. He didn't go into hero mode (for the most part) and made some great decisions throughout the game.
Serge was a monster. 22, 16 and 4???? Are you serious!?!?
It's nice to see that even when we shoot a low percentage, we can still play good enough defense to pull out a victory.
Time to get out the brooms. We're going for the SWEEP!
Skeletor :
“Denver Stiffs reader “Mordecai”, who sits directly behind the visitors bench, got to sit next to Sonicsgate Director/Producer Jason Reid throughout the game (you probably saw them on TV, Reid was holding the Seattle Supersonics banner behind the Thunder bench all night) and they barked at the Thunder all night. Eventually, Durant responded by barking “watch this!” implying that he’d make some big shots or something. Instead, Mordecai and Reid’s heckling led to Durant getting a technical foul. Awesome.”
This really aggravates me. At this point I have to wonder if this tool is trying to make money off this lost cause (promoting his documentary that few if any give a crap about). I would imagine there are plenty of people in Seattle who see this for what it is at this point. Somewhat pathetic.
KD's defense on Felton when he contested what looked like it was going to be an easy two, with FIVE fouls was great. He forced the miss and really kept them from getting any emotional high from that situation. He's just so long he has the potential to be an awesome defender.
Russ had a great game-he really did control the ball well while still offering some intense honey badger plays as well. Of the 2 yesterday, Russ had a better game than Rose, who made some big plays nonetheless.
If anything for naysayers, it's great to see RW playing both a controlled point and blaster offensive guy.
Ibaka was stellar, and JH came up big with some offense and defense. I did see him go timid a little bit in terms of driving in the paint, which he hasn't seemed to be doing as much on plays where he gets it out top lately. he did it a couple of times last night, but is shooting more threes (and making less). But good game from him still.
I feel like the main danger with Denver was always "who knows who is gonna be hot tonight? JR? Afflalo? Harrington?" but really, it's been the Thunder who have played that card: KD/RW, then JH, then SI.
And despite not dominating the game, KD and Russ made some huge plays down the stretch, when we really needed points.
I remember the article it was a steaming pile and semi-racist write up About how Bobby Reid was a mommas boy. Complete with a fried chicken reference and everything.
MakinMeHarden :@DylanJenni Carlson is a hack Royce is ten times the writer she is. Her angles are predictable and uninteresting even berry trammel puts out one good write up a year and Darnell Mayberry and Rhode are the only people who should be above the fold in the s bag of a newspaper.
Fun fact, for those that don't know:
This famous rant was directed at Jenni Carlson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoMmbUmKN0E
@Dylan
If you do make that video make sure you get it somewhere I can see it. Jenni Carlson is a hack Royce is ten times the writer she is. Her angles are predictable and uninteresting even berry trammel puts out one good write up a year and Darnell Mayberry and Rhode are the only people who should be above the fold in the s bag of a newspaper.
I hate Memphis but they don't have anyone like Stephen bonner I want that red rocket as far away from us as possible.
Denver STiff actually wrote a humbling post-game write up giving us much props. He also gave us more insight on the crazy Supersonic fan:
"Denver Stiffs reader "Mordecai", who sits directly behind the visitors bench, got to sit next to Sonicsgate Director/Producer Jason Reid throughout the game (you probably saw them on TV, Reid was holding the Seattle Supersonics banner behind the Thunder bench all night) and they barked at the Thunder all night. Eventually, Durant responded by barking "watch this!" implying that he'd make some big shots or something. Instead, Mordecai and Reid's heckling led to Durant getting a technical foul. Awesome."
Nice Seattle fan. Way to make KD hate you. You realize he actually played for the Sonics, right. What an idiot.
Jenni just wrote an article saying that there will be no game 5 on Wednesday. Jenni, why do you give them bulletin board material. Shut your mouth.
Skeletor :
All of a sudden Hollinger loves us. Mistakes and all http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27927/thunder-avert-collapse-achieve-milestone
Hes just a bandwagon fan. We'll give him the Thunder Hat of Shame when he comes to DT!
I want to see Nate in the court, I think that he can win a difficult game for us
And I love the way he talks with the team of the bench, argue with the refs and in one play he was screaming in the face of Nene
All of a sudden Hollinger loves us. Mistakes and all http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27927/thunder-avert-collapse-achieve-milestone
Perkins Game Face :
I would not be scared of Memphis. They’re a very good team and they could beat us in a series but we match up with them a lot better now. I think it would benefit perk to play a big who likes bang down on the block like Randolph. Nene and even Anderson have made him look bad cause they can go around him off the dribble or stay outside and shoot the mid range j and he won’t come out to contest.
The spurs would give us fits with their inside out game and they won’t beat themselves. I’d take the chance of beating a tough but inexperienced team like Memphis over playing the smart and playoff tested squad in SA.
Anderson is no shooter, and Nene is more athletic than Perk. Its not that Perkins can't come out and contest, Nene is just to quick for him, and can dribble pretty well.
I agree Perk will do a far better job on Marc Gasol, or Zack Randolph.
Both aren't near as athletic as Nene/Anderson, and Randolph loves to have a player bite on his pump fakes, or out muscle them when he pivots. He can't do that against Perk.
Eventually though the inexperience of Memphis will catch them in one point and the Spurs will tie the series up. Unless they can protect home court i don't see them winning. I know they won tonight, but that doesn't mean Spurs can't win game 4 and then win game 5. If the Grizz win game 4 then the Spurs will be lucky to have a game 7.
If we face the Grizzlies, and Perk/Ibaka/Nazr/Collison shut Randolph, and Marc down, then we pretty much control the pace. Thats the difference between an incomplete team in the Grizz, and a almost completed team in us. If they manage to slow KD/Russ down, we have other guys that'll step up and beat them, They don't since Gay is out. Spurs just did the bad thing and underestimated a team thats very hungry.
I find this hilarious: During pregame 2½ hours before tip, rookie center Cole Aldrich and guard Nate Robinson partnered to beat center Byron Mullens and guard Royal Ivey in an intense best-of-seven series of 2-on-2. Aldrich and Robinson won 4 games to 3. Robinson was never quiet.