Thunder vs. Mavericks: Game 4 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Bust out the brooms.

Despite trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 103-97 on Saturday to complete the series sweep.

It was another impressive road performance by the young Thunder, who looked lost until James Harden got all sorts of filthy. The bearded warrior unleashed an unbelievable display of basketball fury, getting to the rim at will to pull his team into the lead.

He finished the game with a playoff career-high 29 points, firmly establishing himself as one of the best young players in the league.

Tweets of the Night

After the two teams played into a 47-47 draw in the first half, Royce Young of the Daily Thunder provided some excellent analysis.

"

First half analysis: I have no idea what's going to happen.

— Royce Young (@dailythunder) May 6, 2012"

In the third quarter, Shawn Marion and Russell Westbrook were both hit with undeserved technical fouls. Bleacher Report's own Holly MacKenzie was one of many who did not approve.

"

we really gotta chill on these techs. good golly.

— Holly MacKenzie (@stackmack) May 6, 2012"

With registered AARP members Derek Fisher and Jason Kidd raining threes late in the third, the always hilarious Not Bill Walton provided this gem.

"

Jason Kidd and Derek Fisher are trading 3 point shots like they trade Arthritis prescriptions! Unbelievable!

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) May 6, 2012"

After James Harden and his beard went on a fourth quarter rampage, Toronto Raptors fan Steve Hallman proposed a trade. And no, the Thunder would not accept it.

"

I would trade every single player on the raptors and their draft pick for James harden #nba

— Steve Hallman (@Steeebo) May 6, 2012"

Bleacher Report lead NBA blogger Rob Mahoney also got in on the Harden lovefest. And really, who could blame him?

"

Basketball itself has taken physical form, and his name is James Harden.

— Rob Mahoney (@RobMahoney) May 6, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

James Harden was a man in the fourth quarter. He unleashed constant assaults on the rim, including this vicious two-hand dunk.

Grades for Key Mavericks Players

Dirk Nowitzki: B

His Dirkness was dominant early on, hitting anything and everything he took. Unfortunately, he faded late, missing multiple shots in the fourth quarter as the Thunder pulled away.

He finished with 34 points on the day, but it wasn't enough for the aging Mavs.

Jason Kidd: B

It was a throwback game for the 39-year-old Kidd, who went for 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. He knocked down four three-pointers and even did the unthinkable by swatting Russell Westbrook in the first half.

Unfortunately, like Dirk, he fell apart down the stretch. He couldn't hit a shot, and he routinely got burned on defense. Dallas played a solid game overall, but they just couldn't close. Some of that blame has to fall on Kidd.

Grades for Key Thunder Players

Kevin Durant: B+

Durant wasn't as impressive as his statline would suggest, but with Harden morphing into a destroyer of worlds, KD didn't have to be spectacular.  

He finished the game with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and he buried a clutch-three late in the fourth. Given that he can play even better than he did tonight, the rest of the league should be terrified.

Russell Westbrook: C-

Usually, I would assume the Thunder would lose if Westbrook shot just 25 percent from the field and only racked up 12 points, six assists and five rebounds. But thanks to the one-man wreaking crew of Harden, Westbrook's poor game wasn't much of a factor.   

Game MVP: James Harden

It's hard not to drool over Harden's performance, as it was simply unreal to watch. He was unstoppable down the stretch, getting to the rim whenever he wanted. He was the definition of clutch tonight, and without him, the Thunder would be preparing themselves for a Game 5.

Given the situation, it was perhaps the most impressive individual performance of the playoffs thus far. If Harden continues to play like this, the Thunder will destroy the rest of the Western Conference.

What's Next?

With the quick, but far from easy, 4-0 sweep, the Thunder can now kick back and wait for a winner to emerge from the Lakers-Nuggets series.

The Lakers currently lead that series 2-1, so it will be a while before we see OKC on the court again.