Oklahoma City Thunder: Top 10 plays from Game 1

My 10 favorite Thunder plays from Game 1 of the NBA Finals:

1. Early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder up 76-73, Russell Westbrook made a great feed to Kevin Durant for an open 3-pointer. KD’s shot bounced off, but Nick Collison flew in to tip out the rebound, Derek Fisher got the ball out front and fired a bullet pass to Thabo Sefolosha under the basket for a layup.

2. Despite getting back into the game quickly in the third quarter, the Thunder never had led, still trailing 73-71 in the final minute of the third quarter. But after a switch, the Heat had Mike Miller in the tenuous position of guarding Kevin Durant. So Miami compensated with everyone seemingly hedging to help Miller. So Westbrook drove the lane, switched to his left hand and dropped in a layup while being fouled by Miller. Westbrook sank the foul shot to give OKC a 74-73 lead.

3. With the Thunder down 60-58 early in the third quarter, Durant had the ball on the deep wing. Kendrick Perkins, in the lane, laid his sights on LeBron and sped toward the Heat superstar. Perk looked like a blitzing linebacker chasing a quarterback. He caught LeBron with a solid screen, freeing Durant to attack. KD then fed Sefolosha for a layup that tied the game 60-60.

4. The Thunder didn’t trail by 15 points, like it did in Game 6 against the Spurs, but OKC was down seven at halftime. And just like against San Antonio, the Thunder opened the second half in style – with a Durant 3-pointer. But this one was extra special. It came off a Serge Ibaka penetration and kick-out. It’s got to be Ibaka’

5. Early second quarter, the Heat up 11, Durant brought up the ball and threw a lazy pass that LeBron intercepted. LeBron was off to the races for a breakaway dunk, with only Durant in the territory. As LeBron soared toward the basket, Durant looked ready to challenge, then dropped his arms and let LeBron have the flush. It cost the Thunder two points and gave Miami a 37-24 lead. But it showed that Durant’s head was in the game. He already had picked up a foul early in the first quarter. No reason to get a second 15 minutes into the game. Durant showed wisdom by backing off.