NBA Playoffs 2011: Serge Ibaka Leads OKC Thunder to 3-0 Series Lead vs. Denver
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 97-94 in Game 3 Saturday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series.
Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 26 points, Nene led the Nuggets with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The key to the game was the play of Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, whose defense and offense were huge for OKC in the franchise’s first road playoff win since moving from Seattle to Oklahoma City.
Ibaka scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Thunder advance to within one victory from the second round.
Let’s look at the keys and adjustments to Game 4, and what Denver needs to do to avoid being swept, as well as a Game 3 recap.
Nicholas Goss is an Oklahoma City Thunder Featured Columnist, follow him on Twitter.
Game 3 Recap
1 of 7
Denver started Game 3 well by taking a five-point lead into the second period. The Nuggets lineup was bolstered by Aaron Afflalo, who missed the first two games of the series with an injury.
Afflalo’s defense was key for the Nuggets, who defended Kevin Durant much better than in the previous two games.
Oklahoma City stormed back in the second quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 30-18 in the period .
Thunder forward Serge Ibaka’s defense and energy was immense to the Thunder’s comeback. Ibaka was one of three Thunder players who scored over 20 points, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were the others.
Denver took a two-point lead into the final quarter with a solid third-quarter performance. Their defense was very good, as Oklahoma City couldn’t buy a basket in the final minutes of the third.
Westbrook and Durant both were hit with technical fouls for arguing with the officials in the third period, showing some real frustration after a difficult period.
Durant was held to just two made shots by the Denver defense in the third period.
In the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets couldn’t find much offense, scoring just 21 points in the final frame.
Denver guard J.R. Smith hit a few outside shots in the final minute, but missed a three-point attempt that would have tied the game at the buzzer.
The final minutes were not pretty, as both team failed to execute well, but the Thunder closed the game to take a 3-0 series lead.
Key Battles/Adjustments for Denver to Avoid Sweep
2 of 7
- Key battle for Game 4: Win the rebounding battle
Thunder big men Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka are very good rebounders, and have had their way on the glass against Denver in this series.
The two of them combined for 18 rebounds in Game 3.
Denver must win the rebounding battle to have a chance to win in Game 4. Chris Anderson’s energy and Nene’s play in the paint is huge to winning the rebounding battle.
- Adjustment for Game 4: Slow down Kevin Durant and keep him away from the FT line
Denver has to find a way to stop Kevin Durant. This is easier said than done, but Game 3 was Durant’s worst of the series, despite scoring 26 points.
Many defenders, including Danilo Gallinari, made life difficult for Durant. If Denver can contest Durant’s shots and keep him out of the paint, they’ll have the chance to win the game late.
The Nuggets also must keep Durant off the free-throw line, Durant is among the league leaders in free-throw attempts, and led the NBA in free throws made.
He uses the free-throw line to get going when he’s struggling.
Key Battles/Adjustments for OKC to End the Series in Game 4
3 of 7
- Key battle for Game 4: Keep composure and learn to win on the road in playoffs
Last season, the Thunder couldn’t win on the road in the playoffs, losing three games in Los Angeles to the Lakers in the first round.
With their first playoff road win on their first attempt of the season, the Thunder must learn to keep their composure and be able to win on the road.
As a young team, it is important that OKC be able to take the crowd out of the game early with a good start to the game, and finish the game strong.
Every great team plays well on the road in the playoffs.
- Adjustment for Game 4: Contain Nene around the paint
Nene is the Nuggets' most consistent player; he helps fuel their offense and defense. He can score, block shots and rebound well.
OKC must make Nene shoot from the outside, and keep him off the offensive boards.
Stop Nene, and you stop the motor of the Nuggets offense and defense.
Serge Ibaka Has Become a Very Good NBA Player
4 of 7
Serge Ibaka became an important part of the Thunder last season, with his athleticism and defensive skills helping OKC become an elite defensive team.
His development has continued at a solid pace this season, and he has become a much better offensive player as well.
Ibaka has polished his mid-range jump shot this year, and when defenders come up to defend it, he has the quickness to drive around them and finish at the basket.
Whether it’s blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, or adding offense, Serge Ibaka is playing a major role in the Thunder's game plan.
Since the Jeff Green trade mid-season, Ibaka has been the starting power forward and hasn’t slowed down.
He’s still young and improving, but Ibaka is already a fine NBA player, and a future defensive player of the year.
Wilson Chandler Must Play Better for Denver to Have a Chance
5 of 7
Wilson Chandler scored just 13 combined points in the first two games of the series, and added just three points in Game 3.
Chandler has to play better for the Nuggets to avoid a sweep in Game 4. He attempted just four shots in Game 3, making only one of them.
He is a versatile player who can score off the dribble, from the outside and at the rim.
Chandler has spent a lot of energy guarding Kevin Durant, but he cannot allow this defensive matchup to hurt him severely on the offensive end.
Russell Westbrook Should Receive a Lot of MVP Consideration
6 of 7
Russell Westbrook could have easily won the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player Award, but Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves won the award earlier this week.
Westbrook became a superstar this season, scoring over 20 points per game, dishing out over eight assists per game, and improving as a defender.
His outside shooting improved greatly, especially from three-point territory.
Westbrook stepped up his game this season to give teammate Kevin Durant a significant partner to lead the Thunder.
When Westbrook is playing well and pushing the tempo of the game with his speed and energy, the Thunder are extremely difficult to beat.
Denver Looks Unable to Contain the Thunder
7 of 7
No team has ever won an NBA playoff series after trailing 3-0. Denver has been outplayed in every facet of the game against Oklahoma City, and it's unlikely that changes in Game 4.
Kevin Durant had a poor game Saturday night and still scored 26 points, and despite letting the Nuggets have a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, the Thunder managed to win.
Oklahoma City will win Game 4 and await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies series, which may go seven games.
