Game 2 Thunder notebook: Coaches calm down Russell Westbrook

Westbrook did not play again and the reserve Eric Maynor finished out the Thunder's 106-100 victory inside American Airlines Center.

Westbrook initially had an exchange with assistant coach Mark Bryant and fellow assistant Maurice Cheeks came over and had a heart-to-heart with the All-Star reserve.

Thunder center Kendrick Perkins also took the 22-year-old Westbrook aside during the game and shared some encouragement. "I had to let him know we're winning, everything's going good," Perkins said. "I think he's fine. I told him, 'Different guys will help at different times.' "

After the game ended, Westbrook was spotted dancing down the tunnel on the way back to the locker room.

PERKINS VS. CHANDLER

On Wednesday, Perkins said of Dallas center Tyson Chandler: "Me and Tyson never got along. He don't like me and I don't like him. That's pretty much how it's been. Everybody always looks at me as kind of a dirty player, if you're on the opposite team. But he's just as dirty as anybody else."

Perkins' remarks added some spice to the first half of Game 2.

With 5:03 left in the first quarter, the Thunder called a 20-second timeout after Chandler had just converted an ally-oop against Perkins for the second straight possession to give the Mavericks a 21-11 lead.

As the players walked to their benches, Chandler screamed some choice words into Perkins' as he walked past. A frustrated Perkins walked away during the Thunder huddle and had to be coaxed back by Bryant.

As OKC players walked back onto the court, Kevin Durant gave Perkins a one-one-one pep talk and pounded his fist into Perkins' chest. Nick Collison then did the same with Perkins.