NBA Playoffs 2011: Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka Lead OKC Thunder to Second Round

Kevin Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder comeback versus the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their first-round series to seal a berth in the Western Conference second round against the winner of the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs series, which is currently 3-2 Memphis.

Durant scored 41 points in the win, and scored the last nine points for the Thunder as they erased a nine-point deficit with four minutes to play in the game.

The 100-97 victory secured the first appearance in the second round for the Thunder franchise since moving to Oklahoma City.

Thunder forward Serge Ibaka swatted nine Nuggets shots, including an amazing block of Nuggets center Nene with under a minute to play in the fourth quarter.

Now let's analyze this performance and discuss what the Thunder need to work on for their next opponent, and look at what lies ahead for Denver in the summer.

Notable Stats from Game 5

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 27: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets defends against James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2011 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma

Final Score: Thunder win 100-97.

Leading scorers 

Thunder: Durant, 41.
Nuggets: Aaron Afflalo, 15.

Rebound battle

Thunder: 51 total rebounds. 35 defensive and 16 offensive.
Nuggets: 38 total rebounds. 34 defensive and 4 offensive.

Blocks

Thunder: 13 (nine from Serge Ibaka).
Nuggets: 3

Turnovers

Thunder: 14
Nuggets: 18

Worst individual performance

Thunder: Russell Westbrook; 14 pts, 4 ast, 3-of-15 from the field
Nuggets: J.R. Smith; 8 pts, 3-of-8 from the field in just 15 minutes 

Serge Ibaka Led a Solid Defensive Effort

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Chris Andersen #11 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound away from Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in D

Rebounding and defense are common denominators of all championship teams, and with Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins manning the paint for the Thunder, they have a solid interior of defense.

Ibaka blocked nine Nuggets shots in the Game 5 clincher, and added eight rebounds. Perkins scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

The Thunder guards also contributed on the boards, with Thabo Sefolosha collecting eight rebounds, James Harden seven and Russell Westbrook five.

OKC pulled down 16 offensive rebounds in Game 5. The Nuggets mustered just four offensive boards.

If the Thunder can continue to create second-chance opportunities and control the glass, they will set the pace of the game to what they feel comfortable running.

Denver's Offseason: Will J.R. Smith Re-Sign?

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOT

J.R. Smith is one of many free agents for the Denver Nuggets this summer, and his return to Denver for the 2011-12 season seems unlikely.

He is a very good scorer, and is an excellent outside shooter, but he's way too inconsistent for Nuggets head coach George Karl to count on him every night.

Smith had a great Game 4 against the Thunder, hitting many big shots late in the game. But he scored only eight points in Game 5 and received just 15 minutes of playing time.

Smith's run in Denver is likely over. Teams that could potentially make a run at him in free agency are the Charlotte Bobcats and Chicago Bulls.

Thunder Must Shoot Better To Advance to Conference Finals

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball against Raymond Felton #20 of the Denver Nuggets and Nene Hilario #31 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Pl

The Thunder are full of scoring talent but sometimes they take poor shots that are well-contested.

Starting point guard Russell Westbrook exhibits this all the time. Westbrook took many bad, contested shots in Games 4 and 5, and needs to not force shots and be patient to set up the best possible offensive chance.

Kevin Durant has been far more efficient than Westbrook this postseason, and Durant should be the closer for the Thunder as seen is his efforts to lead OKC back in Game 5.

The Thunder shot just 36 percent from the field in Game 5, and shot an abysmal 25 percent from the three point line.

Westbrook was 3-for-15 in the game.

OKC needs to take better shots and work the shot clock for the best possible shot and not be impatient.  

How Do the Thunder Stack Up Against the Grizzlies and Spurs?

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2011 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla

The Thunder match up well against both the Grizzlies and Spurs, one of which will be their second round opponent.

The Grizzlies have more size upfront than the Spurs, and have faster, more athletic guards.

San Antonio has many experienced players such as Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, all of whom play well in playoff games.

All of them can also score 20 points any night.

OKC can beat both, but will need to play exceptional defense regardless of who their second round opponent is.

If the Grizzlies upset the Spurs, the Thunder would have home court against Memphis. If San Antonio prevails, they would hold the home court advantage.