Thunder vs. Spurs Game 2: How OKC Must Improve to Tie West Finals

Getting more offensive production from their big men is one area that the Oklahoma City Thunder must improve in if they are to tie their Western Conference Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs by winning Tuesday night's Game 2.

The Thunder had a good-sized lead in the second half of the series opener but were unable to stop the Spurs' late game push, ultimately losing Game 1 101-98.

Let's look at three areas that the Thunder need to improve in to avoid an 0-2 series deficit.

Scoring from the big men

In their Game 1 defeat, the Thunder got just 10 points combined from big men Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins. The only front court player to come off the bench was Nick Collison, who only scored five points.

All together, the trio shot 4-10 from the field.

OKC needs players like Ibaka and Collison to play well offensively so the Spurs have a reason to guard them. If these big men struggle to score, the Spurs will be more willing to leave them on defense and double Thunder scorers like Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. That would not be an ideal situation for the Thunder.

OKC needs more scoring from their big men in Game 2 if they want to even the series heading home for Game 3.

James Harden has to be more effective

The Thunder cannot beat the Spurs in this series if sixth man of the year James Harden doesn't make a positive impact at both ends of the floor.

His matchup with Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili will decide the series, and Harden must be efficient and not turn the ball over. He didn't do either of those in Game 1, evidenced by his multiple offensive fouls and 7-17 shooting.

The Thunder guard was critical of his play after Sunday's game, saying via Daily Thunder:

"

Harden on what defensive adjustment SA made on him: "Nothing, I just couldn't make a layup. Couldn't make a layup, couldn't make a shot."

— Royce Young (@dailythunder) May 28, 2012"

Harden was very frustrated in Game 1, and must improve at both ends of the floor for the Thunder to have a chance against the Spurs.

Russell Westbrook's Shot Selection Must Get Better

Too many times in Game 1 did Thunder star point guard Russell Westbrook take poor shots and drive to the basket recklessly and out of control.

This cannot happen again in Game 2 because the Spurs play strong team defense, and do an impressive job of trapping players that drive to the basket.

Westbrook shot too many contested jumpers in Game 1, and played too much 1-on-1 basketball. He also had just five assists which isn't good enough for a point guard, even one who is relied on to score 20-plus points per game.

Westbrook has to be able to get his teammates involved in the offense and take high percentage shots or the Thunder won't win Game 2.

Follow @NicholasGoss35 Nick Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report