Thunder vs. Heat: Role Players That Must Step Up for Oklahoma City on the Road

The Oklahoma City Thunder face a difficult three-game stretch in Miami and the team will need their role players to play at a high level. 

Kevin Durant has been spectacular, and while Russell Westbrook has been somewhat inconsistent, he will pick up his play.

James Harden is far too talented and productive to be considered a role player. 

Here are the three players that must put on solid performances in order for Oklahoma City to win.

Kendrick Perkins

Perkins has been hopelessly ineffective in the first two games of the series.

The Heat rarely try to post up their big men, which negates Perkins’ skills in man-on-man post defense. Not only is this Perkins’ strongest attribute, it's one of the very few things he excels at.

Perkins did not make an impact as a defender and he has seemed lost in the first two games. He rarely gets the ball on offense, but still has five turnovers in the series. This has canceled out any positive impact that Perkins’ screens have had for the Thunder.

In order for Perkins to make a difference in the series going forward, he has to stop turning the ball over. Next, he has to be productive on the offensive glass. If he can do these two things, his inability to contribute as much on defense will not matter.

Thabo Sefolosha 

Sefolosha played incredible defense on LeBron James in Game 1, but was not as effective in Game 2.

James still had a productive night overall in the opening contest, but Sefolosha was able to get stops in key moments. Two days later, James was able to hold of the Thunder’s run and Sefolosha was powerless to stop him.

Sefolosha is an excellent defender, but he cannot guard James effectively every night. However, he does not necessarily have to do that if the Thunder are going to win the series. 

The shooting guard needs just one or two more spectacular defensive performances in order for Oklahoma City to win the series. If he can get a few more stops against James in key moments, it will be enough for Kevin Durant to win the game on other end of the floor.

Serge Ibaka

Ibaka came through with five big blocks in Game 2, but he needs to assert himself more in the post going forward.

The Heat completely lack size and depth in the frontcourt and often have to play James at either power forward or even center. When this happens, Ibaka needs to attack down low and either score or draw a foul. 

He put up 10 points and six rebounds in Game 1 and just seven points and four rebounds in Game 2.

If the Thunder are going to win the series, Ibaka cannot have another game where he grabs just four rebounds. He will need to be more aggressive in the post from here on out.