2014 NBA Playoffs, Day 35

It's a series in the West?  Surely...you jest.

Game 4: San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City.

The combination of Durant and Westbrook scored 71 last night.  San Antonio scored 92...and lost by 13.

What's even funnier about that score is that San Antonio's reserves were in the game from about five minutes remaining in the third until the end of the game.  They didn't really close the gap, per se; I don't think the lead was ever below 10 in the second half.  Still, maybe they can take something from that going forward.

Or maybe they already know that if they move the ball and play unselfishly in their offense, they can beat OKC.  My guess is that they already know, but this stuff with Ibaka coming back when he was thought to be out has shaken their confidence somewhat.

It's a fact that when Ibaka was out, the Spurs dominated, and that domination went inside-out.  Now that Ibaka is back in, the Spurs have not looked good and have lost both games.  Not coincidentally, both of those games were in OKC.

So now we'll see what happens when the series returns to San Antonio.

My guess is that Parker and Ginobili (and/or Kawhi Leonard) will drive inside and either go to the rack hard or kick it out to Danny Green or one of the other guards behind the three-point line.  Their pick-and-roll offense can be devastating as well, but that was not really evident in OKC.

Either way, it's a series now and San Antonio has to pick themselves up after what has been a near-disastrous showing in Games 3&4.  They have the talent and the system to get things done and win games.  They just have to do it.

As far as the Thunder are concerned: they've got Ibaka back and in fairly good shape.  Durant and Westbrook are both firing on all cylinders.  The only thing they were really missing last night is secondary scoring.  IF they get that and Durant/Westbrook continue to be unstoppable, then they can easily win this series and face Miami in a rematch of the Finals from a couple years ago.

Of course, now that it's tied, the likelihood of it going seven games has increased by quite a bit.  That wouldn't be the worst thing for the league (or for Miami, really).

The series is tied 2-2.  Game 5 is Thursday.

Later today, Game 5 in Indiana.  With a win, Miami moves on to the NBA Finals.