Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets: Breaking Down the Game

Tonight's game seemed like déjà vu of the Thunder's last few games, in which they came out of halftime flat and almost ended up giving away a game that they were leading early.

Granted, the Nuggets did a lot of damage in the second quarter also, but it was the third quarter where it started to feel like the same story, different game.

Fortunately (if you're a Thunder fan), OKC was able to turn it around and put together a strong performance to close the game out.

Usually the first part of the article would focus on the big names like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but I felt that Eric Maynor arguably played the biggest role in this win. With the Thunder facing some big foul troubles late in the third, Maynor came in and calmed the team down. Then he went and dropped ten points and kept the game close until the starters could come in and lock it up.

It's his complete understanding of the offense that allows him to be so efficient even though he doesn't have near the skills of Westbrook. You would be hard pressed to find a better back up point guard from that stand point.

That's not to say the star players didn't impress, Durant had 32 points and nine boards. Durant's work on the glass is a key reason of the Thunder's continued improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

When he is able to gobble up rebounds while Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka are blocking out their men, the Thunder can limit opponent's second chance points. I can't find the stat to prove it, but I'm fairly certain that, as the season's progressed, OKC has really cut down on giving up offensive rebounds.

Speaking of rebounds, Ibaka and Perkins combined to grab 25 boards and the Thunder as a whole out-rebounded the Nuggets by nine.

Now, Denver doesn't have amazing size, but they do have some big guys so it's a good sign to see the Thunder's new frontcourt put up such a good showing, especially against a team they will probably face in the first round of the playoffs.

Also, for those of you keeping track, OKC's bench outscored the opposing side again, this time by 11. I'm slowly phasing out "one of the best" benches in the League and replacing it with THE best bench in the league. I'm going to wait until the playoffs to completely get behind that statement, but it's looking like that's the case more and more every day.

I know I've basically thrown Denver under the bus so far, but I did walk away from this game a little scared for that first round series that's looming in front of us all. The first thing that scares me is how easily Ty Lawson was getting to the rack. That man is so quick he makes fast people look not fast.

Okay, that was terrible, but you get the point. If he can do that over a series it could strike fear into the Thunder faithful, especially if his wing players can knock down their threes. I mean, if he drives that well every night OKC's wings will have to close in on him, giving him a kick out option.

Now, the Thunder do have some of the longest wings I can think of, so they can close out very well, but it's still something that I'm going to be thinking about late at night.

The other thing I noticed from this game is that the Nuggets have a guy who can bring the junkyard dog just like Perkins always does, Nene.

I'm not worried about him getting in Perk's head or anything, but if the other team has a guy just as tough as your tough guy, you lose that edge and the nasty edge can be a big one in the playoffs (see: Bad Boy Pistons).

Again, unless it gets Perk ejected and/or suspended, it's not going to be something that breaks the series, but it could have an impact.

Overall, I thought this game had a very playoff atmosphere. Both teams puffed out their chests and dared the other guy to come get some, which they did a few times. It was physical, up-and-down, and exciting.

Hopefully, it's a preview of the first round series we're probably getting because this is the kind of basketball I love.