Thunder notebook: OKC searching for Serge Ibaka's offense

In six of the previous 10 games, Ibaka failed to reach 10 shot attempts. In four of those games, he didn't get up more than eight.

Through the season's first 34 games, Ibaka was averaging 14.8 points on 10.9 shot attempts and scored fewer than 10 points only seven times.

“Like I tell Serge, ‘You have to do what you do well,'” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “And that is rebound, defend and run the floor. And your touches will come. That can't be his only focus, and it hasn't been ... He's going to get anywhere from nine to 12 shots per game on average. Very rarely is he going to get three or four like he had last game ... Because we need it. He's been a 14, 15-point scorer for us.”

Ibaka scored 18 points on 7 for 12 shooting with a game-high-tying 12 rebounds against the Cavs.

DURANT SUSTAINS RIB CONTUSION

Kevin Durant had to leave the game late in the third quarter with what was called a rib contusion, but returned early in the fourth period and finished the game.

Durant was inadvertently kneed in the back on a drive to the basket by Cavs forward Alonze Gee. Immediately after the bucket by Gee, Durant began clutching at his back and side. He stayed in the game for another two minutes but came out with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter.

After heading straight to the locker room, Durant emerged from the tunnel and returned to the bench with 1:04 left in the period. He checked back in the game with 9:55 left to play.

ZONE DEFENSE COULD BE COMING SOON

An idea the Thunder first flirted within the days following the NBA Finals loss to Miami last year, a true zone defense could soon be a part of the team's defensive identity.

Brooks, though, said he doesn't foresee the scheme being anything beyond a simple zone or used anymore than sporadically.