2012 NBA Finals: Random Thoughts from Game 3

• Oklahoma City cannot win the NBA championship without James Harden as a viable third scorer for them. He went 2-10, including 0-4 from three-point land. Nine points for a guy that averages 17 a game is not going to cut it.

• If Miami does not win, it will not be because LeBron James was not great. He contributed 29/14/3—another fantastic performance on the biggest stage. A tight, back-and-forth game was closed by James. Perhaps this is the tipping point toward his first championship.

• I said it before the series, and I'll say it again: Whistles will determine the champion. Miami was more aggressive, but they were also the benefit of most of the 50/50 calls in the game. They out-shot Oklahoma City 35-24 at the free throw line. The Thunder will have to equalize that number to bounce back in what I think is a must-win Game 4.

• Kevin Durant being matched up on LeBron James is slowly starting to impact him. His job may be more daunting than James' in this series, particularly if James Harden continues to have periods of invisibility. Defending the best player in the game and then having to be the offensive hub may be too much for him to bear. Time will tell.

• Great overall game from Kendrick Perkins. Ten points and 12 rebounds for a guy some were saying needed to sit down to maximize OKC's team speed is not too shabby.

• The Thunder did a much better job of locking on Shane Battier. So he made like fellow Duke alum Christian Laettner and made every shot he took. His contribution of two three-and-three free throws in a huge swing moment in the third quarter after OKC had taken a nine point lead was crucial. That was one of the plays of the game. But credit should go to OKC's defense for limiting the hottest shooter on the court.

• Going forward, Durant is going to have to be more aggressive and take his chances going to the hoop. Taking 19 shots in a game in this series is not going to be enough. He will need to shoot closer to 30 shots and most likely pour in 35-plus points for the Thunder to win one of the next two games in Miami and get it back to Oklahoma City.