2011 NBA Playoffs Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 4

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DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USE

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling and are looking to sweep the Denver Nuggets today. The game is in Denver and the Nuggets need to win in order to keep the series going.

The Thunder have played extremely well all series and their solid play should continue today. Denver has actually played considerably well for losing all three games. Read on to see who will win today and how they will do so.

How Game Three Was Won

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The Thunder played an solid overall game three and they pulled it out 97-94. The Thunder controlled almost every aspect of the game except assists. The craziest thing is they only won by three points, probably because they commmitted 31 fouls.

The Thunder got the usual 20 points a piece from Durant and Westbrook but they also received major contribution from Serge Ibaka (22 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks). Also, Westbrook had a near triple double with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Keys to a Game Four Victory

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO

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The Thunder have been the better team and they really don't need to change much in order to win this game. They have been getting solid contributions from Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and James Harden and they should continue to get contributions from them.

If they can get more production from Kendrick Perkins then the Thunder could be considerably better. The Thunder just need the above mentioned players to play well and the game will go the Thunder's way.

Denver Nuggets: Keys to a Game Four Victory

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: J.R. Smith #5, Raymond Felton #20, Chris Andersen #11, Wilson Chandler #21 and Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets head to the bench during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarter

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The Nuggets are in a huge mess and there is almost no way they can get out of it. They have so much talent on the roster but they just can't beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder seem to always have an answer when the Nuggets go on a run.

The Nuggets also need a very good game from Wilson Chandler. Chandler was arguably the best player the Nuggets received in the Carmelo trade and has played some truly awful basketball in the series.

The Nuggets should try everything in order to keep their season alive, but in the end, how much can they do when they have to win four straight games in order to advance?

Who Wins Game Four?

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets goes up for a shot against Kendrick Perkins #5 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 2

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The Thunder are on a mission and they want to close the series out as soon as possible, there is no way they play bad tonight. The Nuggets are on a mission too, but just to stay alive. Both teams are going to want to win very badly.

In the end, the Thunder are going to be too strong and too good for a Nuggets team that just doesn't look like the team from the regular season.

Thunder win 110-98

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