Thunder hang on for thrilling Game 3 victory over Clippers
Take a deep breath.
We say that, because if you were watching Friday's battle between the Thunder and Clippers, you're surely winded. It was incredible, an electrifying, fast-paced battle down to the final buzzer.
How close was this game? Consider that Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka may have each played the most complete games of their careers, Kevin Durant dropped 36 and the Thunder still barely escaped with the 118-112 win to take a 2-1 series lead.
Star Performer
Durant gets the nod for his 14-of-24 shooting performance with eight rebounds and six assists, but really, the entire cast deserves a nod in this drama:
- Westbrook: 7-of-14 for 23 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists
- Ibaka: 9-of-10 for 20 points, six rebounds
- Blake Griffin: 13-of-22 for 34 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks
- Chris Paul: 8-of-16 for 21 points, 16 assists and three steals
Turning Point
It all really came down to the final couple of minutes, anyway, as they battled tight throughout. With 6:16 to play, the Clippers led 100-99 but the Thunder would hold them to just a point over nearly three minutes, allowing them to build a 106-101 lead they would not relinquish. This marks the first time all season the Clippers lost a game at home that they led entering the fourth quarter.
Neither team led by more than eight, and the game had 19 lead changes with 13 ties. It was one, long, 48-minute turning point.
Highlight Reel
You want highlights? Here are your highlights, courtesy of perhaps the best game of the playoffs so far (which is saying a lot):
[GIF Courtesy: @_MarcusD_]
The whole game was filthy. Pure, ecstasy-inducing filth. We couldn't even fit all of the highlights.
Quote of the Game
Thunder head coach Scott Brooks credits the win to his defense.
PostGame: Scott Brooks: "We played w/poise throughout the game, staying together in the 4th quarter. Our defense went to a different level."
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2014
Durant postgame: "We did a good job weathering storms together throughout the game and sticking together. " pic.twitter.com/5WZfRx3Ybp
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 10, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: LAC 122, OKC 105 (Clippers lead series 1-0)
Game 2: OKC 112, LAC 101 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: OKC 118, LAC 112 (Thunder lead series 2-1)
Game 4: Sunday, May 11 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Tuesday, May 13 - TBD
Game 6*: Thursday, May 15 - TBD
Game 7*: Sunday, May 18 - TBD