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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Thunder clinch First Seed in West with Win over Kings

It's official the Thunder will have home court throughout the playoffs and maybe the Finals after a easy win over the Sacramento Kings in OKC. The Thunder just out ran the Kings all game and the soon to be Seattle Sonics were just no match. Kevin Durant and Westbrook had 50 points combined and Serge Ibaka had a solid 14 but what I loved seeing from his was his low post play which yes I have said in nearly every article will be huge for the Thunder to get back to the finals and win. The forward that I would like to talk about most first is Ronnie Brewer who yes got more than 3 minutes of playing time and made it worth his while. He only had 2 points but what is Brewer's strength is his tight defense which he played to his ability stopping Evans until he got injured. I am so caught up with Brewer because when the Thunder gave up a 2nd round pick for him I knew exactly what they were doing, the key in the trade was all about #6 Lebron James. The Thunder struggled all series in the Finals last year against Lebron who just played more physical than Durant forcing his way to the paint well with Brewer you get another big guy who isn't going to get pushed over by anybody not even the "King" himself. Brewer in my opinion will be big in the Thunder run. With the seed clinched we now watch to see who will be our 1st rd opponent and as it stands right now it is looking like the Kobe-less Lakers but its not over. The Utah Jazz need a win against Memphis and a Laker loss to the Rockets and they get the 8th seed. Personally I believe the Thunder will have a easier time against the Jazz who they won the series on 3-1. Utah does not hold a PG nearly capable of playing to Westbrook's level or defending him. Perkins and Ibaka will be big in both cases as both the Lakers and Jazz have 2 big time big men. For the Lakers they have All Star Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol and for the Jazz they have Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson. Ibaka's shot blocking must be key and Perkins low post defending needs to stay consistent. With 1 game left the Thunder will sit their starters as it is a meaningless game except for the fact that Kevin Durant is 71 points away from winning his 4th scoring title.....he said in is interview "Do you want me to go for it......alright I'll try" I really like the approach Durant took with the scoring title situation where he could of easily won but he put the team first and contributed in other ways then just points with rebounds and assists as well, His main goal right now is to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy and needs to do everything that will help that happen. The Thunder take on the Bucks Wednesday and then its playoff time! Starting April 21 for the first rd!

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