OKC - 2011/12 - Thunder Three-peat

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [1-0] vs San Antonio Spurs [0-1]

Thunder take 2-0 series lead after comfortable win in game 2



Oklahoma City took on San Antonio at the Ford Center in game 2 of their first round Playoff series, looking to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Thunder started well and lead by 9 at the first break, 34-25. Kevin Durant had 20 points in an inspired first quarter performance.
They looked to be back to their regular season form after a shaky start in game 1. Offensively they were back in their groove.
It continued in the second as the Spurs looked incapable of keeping pace with them. Thunder lead by 14 at the half, 64-50.
More of the same in the third as the Thunder dominated and opened up an unassailable 20 point lead with one to play, 94-74.
Even though they lead by 20, the Thunder kept Durant and Gay on the court to make sure the Spurs didn't mount any sort of comeback.
BJ Mullens got some valuable minutes though as veteran Ben Wallace was given a well earned rest during the fourth quarter.
The Thunder ran riot in the last quarter and eventually ran out comfortable 31 point winners, 130-99.
Oklahoma's 'big 3' all had big nights. Gay had 37 pts and 10 rebounds, Durant had 36 pts and 10 rebounds and Green had 31 pts.
The Spurs will be looking to make home court advantage count when both teams meet in San Antonio in game 3 later this week.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 34 30 30 36 130
SAS - 25 25 24 25 99

Top Scorers
Rudy Gay - 37
Kevin Durant - 36
Jeff Green - 31
Tony Parker - 28
Tim Duncan - 19

Assists
Tony Parker - 16
Russell Westbrook - 13

Rebounds
Tim Duncan - 12
Kevin Durant - 10
Rudy Gay - 10
Ben Wallace - 8

Video Highlights
Jeff Green with a huge dunk early on.

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[Phil89]

I'm just going to post the other series results after they have ended because the sim engine has spewed out some pretty unrealistic score lines.

[Andrew]

I'm just going to post the other series results after they have ended because the sim engine has spewed out some pretty unrealistic score lines.

Understandable.

Spurs had no answer for you in that one. Hope you can keep the momentum going as the series shifts to San Antonio.

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [2-0] vs San Antonio Spurs [0-2]

Thunder on verge of Semi Finals after winning game 3 in San Antonio



The San Antonio Spurs hosted Oklahoma City in game 3 of their Playoff series and were looking to use home court advantage to record a win.
The Spurs came out in the first quarter and showed that they meant business. The Thunder though managed to lead by 2 at the first break, 27-25.
In the second quarter both teams upped their defensive games, which resulted in low scoring. Thunder lead by 3 at the half, 48-45.
Oklahoma City managed to break free from the defensive shackles in the third and pulled away to a 10 point lead with one to play, 78-68.
However, the Spurs went on an 8-0 run to start the fourth and level the game right back up. The lead changed often as neither team was willing to give up.
With the score at 95-92, Rudy Gay got past his man, thanks to a screen by James Harden, and drove to the rim. He scored over Tim Duncan.
Even though there was contact the referee didn't call a foul. With 21 seconds left in the game the Thunder lead by 5, 97-92.
The Spurs couldn't make a shot though and desperately fouled the Thunder but to no avail. Oklahoma City won 102-94 and took a 3-0 lead in the series.
Durant and Gay again both scored in the 30's and lead their team to the brink of going through to the Semi Finals against either Houston or Portland.

Player of the Game: Tony Parker

OKC - 27 21 30 24 102
SAS - 25 20 23 26 94

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 34
Rudy Gay - 33
Tony Parker - 23
Richard Jefferson - 19
Tim Duncan - 18

Assists
Tony Parker - 10

Rebounds
Tim Duncan - 17
Ben Wallace - 9
Antonio McDyess - 9
Jeff Green - 7

Video Highlights
Durant finishes a fast break with a dunk after Westbrook's block.

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Rudy Gay picks up the loose ball and acrobatically puts it in the basket.

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After the screen by James Harden, Rudy Gay drives to the rim and makes the basket to seal the game.

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[Andrew]

A bit more competitive but ultimately the same result. Looks like the Spurs are done, somehow I don't see you giving up four straight.

[Phil89]

They only have Ginobili to blame. He got injured, so I couldn't trade him back from the Lakers
To be fair though all of these games have been hard. Especially when Durant and Gay are having rests. My bench isn't exactly full of scoring options.

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [3-0] vs San Antonio Spurs [0-3]

Thunder sweep series against Spurs, advance to Semis.



Oklahoma City again travelled to San Antonio to take on the Spurs in game 4 of their Playoff series, looking to take the series 4-0.
They got off to a great start early and quickly ran out to a healthy 10 point lead at the end of the first, 27-17.
San Antonio went on a 14-0 run to start the second quarter to lead 31-27. Thunder recovered though and lead 47-43 at the half.
Oklahoma City dominated in the third and established a seemingly unassailable lead. They lead by 19 with one to play, 79-60.
The Spurs did mount a comeback in the fourth, but the margin was too big and the Thunder eventually won by 11, 106-95.
Rudy Gay lead the way for the Thunder and finished with 34 points. Jeff Green scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
The Thunder had continued their regular season form against the Spurs and coasted into the Western Conference Semi Finals.
Where they will meet another team from Texas, the Houston Rockets who beat the Portland Trail Blazers 4-3 in their series.

Player of the Game: Jeff Green

OKC - 27 20 32 27 106
SAS - 17 26 17 35 95

Top Scorers
Rudy Gay - 34
Kevin Durant - 29
Tim Duncan - 27
Jeff Green - 26
Tony Parker - 19

Assists
Tony Parker - 15

Rebounds
Antonio McDyess - 13
Ben Wallace - 12
Jeff Green - 11

Video Highlights
Durant with a spin move to get past Duncan and finishes with a dunk.

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[Andrew]

Nicely done, you sure made short work of them. Good luck against Houston!

[Bucket]

Short series for Spurs
Good job. Good luck against Houston, beat it in four game like a Spurs.

[Phil89]

Western Conference 1st Round
(1) OKC vs SAS (8) - OKC wins series 4-0
(4) HOU vs POR (5) - HOU wins series 4-3
(3) PHX vs DAL (6) - PHX wins series 4-2
(2) LAL vs UTA (7) - LAL wins series 4-1

Eastern Conference 1st Round
(1) CLE vs TOR (8) - CLE wins series 4-2
(4) CHA vs NYK (5) - NYK wins series 4-3
(3) BOS vs CHI (6) - BOS wins series 4-2
(2) IND vs ORL (7) - IND wins series 4-1

[Andrew]

I'm picking the Lakers to make it through to the WCF - where I'm sure you'll be facing them - and Cavs/Pacers in the ECF.

[Phil89]

No real upsets in the first round. Orlando lost to Indiana, but the way they both played this season it isn't really an upset.
The Lakers/Suns series could be the best of the Playoffs so far. They were the two closest team to me all year in the West.
The Pacers are definitely the wild card team in these Playoffs.

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [4-0] vs Houston Rockets [4-3]

Thunder off to perfect start against Rockets



Oklahoma City looked to maintain their unbeaten Playoff record as they welcomed the Houston Rockets to the Ford Center for game 1 of their series.
The Thunder came out with their normal intensity, but the Rockets managed to stay with them. Thunder lead by 2 at the first break, 29-27.
They made their move in the second and went on an 10-0 run early in the quarter. They had opened up an 11 point lead at the half, 57-46.
The Rockets managed to keep up with them in the third, but never looked like challenging for the lead. Thunder lead 82-71 with one to play.
Houston managed to get within 3 in the closing stages of the fourth, but the Thunder went on an 11-0 run to finish the game.
Oklahoma City went on to win 111-97. Kevin Durant finished with 40 points and 8 rebounds. Rudy Gay scored 37 points and had 6 assists.
The Thunder players again showed that the big occasion didn't daunt them. In fact Durant and Gay seem to enjoy playing in big games.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 29 28 25 29 111
HOU - 27 19 25 26 97

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 40
Rudy Gay - 37
Kevin Martin - 31
Aaron Brooks - 18

Assists
Aaron Brooks - 10
Russell Westbrook - 9
Rudy Gay - 6

Rebounds
Ben Wallace - 13
Yao Ming - 13
Kevin Durant - 8
Jeff Green - 7
Luis Scola - 7

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay with a spectacular dunk over Yao Ming.

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[Andrew]

Nice work holding off the comeback logic, as I've said before it's probably the most unforgiving it's been since NBA Live 06. Keeps things challenging but can also be extremely frustrating and downright unfair.

[Clutch]

GREAT playoff run so far... break the Rockets' spine in gm 2!

[kibaxx7]

Nice series win over the Spurs. Would be huge to see Pacers-Thunder in the Finals

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [5-0] vs Houston Rockets [4-4]

Thunder race to 2-0 series lead after comfortable win in game 2



Game 2 of the series between Oklahoma City and Houston took place at the Ford Center and the Thunder looked to maintain their unbeaten Playoff record.
The Thunder started this game just as they had played all season. They piled on the points and lead by 8 at the first break, 31-23.
Rudy Gay continued his recent scoring resurgence and had an excellent first quarter. He managed to score 11 points for the quarter.
Things got worse for the Rockets in the second. The Thunder went on a 9-0 run midway through the quarter and lead 59-40 at the half.
Houston threatened to get back into the game in the third, but the Thunder went on a 13-0 run late in the quarter. They lead 90-62 with one to play.
With the game seemingly over the Thunder let their bench players have a run in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Rockets reduce the lead slightly.
Oklahoma City went on to win by 22 points, 112-90. Kevin Durant continued his Playoff form and finished the game with 34 points.
Rookie BJ Mullens had an excellent game off the bench. He scored 20 points aand had 3 blocks. Kevin Martin top scored for the Rockets with 29.
The Rockets will be looking to get back into the series with a win in game 3 which will be played at the Toyota Center in 2 days time.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 31 28 31 22 112
HOU - 23 17 22 28 90

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 34
Kevin Martin - 29
Rudy Gay - 21
BJ Mullens - 20
Jeff Green - 18

Assists
Aaron Brooks - 8
Russell Westbrook - 7

Rebounds
Yao Ming - 14
Ben Wallace - 12
Jeff Green - 12
Luis Scola - 9

Video Highlights
Serge Ibaka takes it to the rim.

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[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [6-0] vs Houston Rockets [4-5]

Thunder on brink of Conference Final after comeback win in Houston



Oklahoma City travelled to Houston to take on the Rockets in game 3 of their Western Conference Semi Final series, looking to take a 3-0 lead.
But it was the Rockets, spurred on by a vocal home crowd, that took the initiative early. They raced out of the blocks to lead 30-19 at the first break.
The Thunder rallied in the second and piled on the points. But Houston still lead by 5 points at the half, 56-51. Kevin Martin had 19 points by half time.
In the third quarter both teams traded baskets and the Rockets seemed to have an answer to all the Thunder's attempts to come back into the game.
Oklahoma City did still manage to reduce the Rocket's lead to 2 points with one quarter left to play though, 81-79. Surely a thrilling finish to come.
Sadly for Houston it wasn't to be as the Thunder blew them away in the fourth and went on to win 117-107 and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
Kevin Durant continued his amazing Playoff run as he scored 34 points. He has scored 29 points of more in each of the 7 games so far these Playoffs.
Kevin Martin again top scored for Houston with 31 points. Russell Westbrook had a great game. He finished with 22 points, 5 assists and 4 steals.
The Thunder are now overwhelming favourites to sweep the series and advance to the Conference Finals, against either the Suns or the Lakers.


Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 19 32 28 38 117
HOU - 30 26 25 26 107

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 34
Kevin Martin - 31
Yao Ming - 26
Russell Westbrook - 22
Jeff Green - 20

Assists
Trevor Ariza - 7
Russell Westbrook - 5

Rebounds
Yao Ming - 14
Ben Wallace - 12
David Andersen - 10
Rudy Gay - 9
Jeff Green - 8

Video Highlights
Jeff Green with a spectacular 360 dunk.

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[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [7-0] vs Houston Rockets [4-6]

Thunder sweep another series to advance to Conference Finals



Oklahoma City took on Houston in game 4 of their series looking for a win to complete another series sweep and advance to the Conference Finals.
On the brink of elimination, the Rockets came out strong and lead 29-24 at the first break. Kevin Durant had 14 points for the quarter.
Early in the second with the score at 39-35, the Rockets went on an amazing 14-0 run to lead 53-35 and blow the game wide open.
But the Thunder fought back late in the quarter and went on a 14-3 run of their own to reduce the lead to 7 by the half, 56-49.
From there the Thunder simply ran away with the game. They dominated the third quarter and got out to a 9 point lead with one to play, 81-72.
More of the same in the fourth as they held on to record a stunning come from behind 111-96 win and sweep the series 4-0.
Kevin Durant again lead his team with 36 points and 8 rebounds. Russell Westbrook had another fantastic game. He scored 28 points and had 5 assists.
Oklahoma City advance to the Conference Finals in their first Playoff series as a new franchise, where they will meet either the Suns or the Lakers.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 24 25 32 30 111
HOU - 29 27 16 34 96

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 36
Russell Westbrook - 28
Rudy Gay - 24
Yao Ming - 20

Assists
Kevin Martin - 8
Jeff Green - 7
Russell Westbrook - 5

Rebounds
Yao Ming - 16
Luis Scola - 14
Kevin Durant - 8
Jeff Green - 7

Video Highlights
Durant with a reverse two handed dunk over Yao Ming.

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Durant outdoes himself with an even bigger reverse two hander.

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[Phil89]

Western Conference Semi Finals
(1) OKC vs HOU (4) - OKC wins series 4-0
(3) PHX vs LAL (2) - LAL wins series 4-0

Eastern Conference Semi Finals
(1) CLE vs NYK (5) - CLE wins series 4-2
(3) BOS vs IND (2) - BOS wins series 4-1

[Phil89]

I'm picking the Lakers to make it through to the WCF - where I'm sure you'll be facing them - and Cavs/Pacers in the ECF.

3 out of 4. I'm really surprised that the Lakers were able to beat the Suns 4-0. I would of picked a 7 game series given their regular season form.

I'm kind of glad that the other 3 teams left are realistic contenders for the Championship. Plus I get to play the real life series against the Lakers.

[Andrew]

The sim engine definitely produces some unlikely upsets and sweeps...sometimes in the same series. The playoff sim I ran last week for a feature article over on the main site is a good example of that. In retrospect, I should've picked the Celtics as they pulled off a huge upset in my sim. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if they make it through to the Finals but I'll pick the Cavs all the same.

Meanwhile, congrats on sweeping through another round, especially that Game 3 performance to keep your perfect playoff record intact. In the end it wasn't really close, I'm guessing the Lakers might be a little tougher though. Good luck, as always I'm looking forward to the next batch of recaps.

[Phil89]

It's quite strange how consistent the score has been in my Playoff games so far.

vs SAS
109-101
130-99
102-94
106-95

vs HOU
111-97
112-90
117-107
111-96

[Clutch]

shaping up to be a pretty mean finish to the season good luck vs the Lakeshow; i think you're gonna need it...

[megarover]

Looks like you got the Lakers. That's gonna be a tough matchup