Let's see, Game 3 between the Thunder and Grizzlies featured a fantastic defensive performance by Memphis, which held OKC to just 36 percent shooting, and what amounted to a man-on-an-island offensive showing by Kevin Durant (25 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, 9-of-19 shooting).
Broken record alert: The Thunder have absolutely no offensive scheme, and now, without Russell Westbrook around, they don't even have the talent to overcome the lack of ingenuity coach Scott Brooks has been displaying all postseason.
Of course, that process gets exaggerated by the Grizzlies' staunch defense, which ranked second in the NBA in points allowed per possession during the regular season. Without any discernible schemes or adjustments to worry about, the Grizz simply get to dig in, help each other hassle Durant and wait for the missed isolation jumper.
If there was anything unpredictable about Saturday's game, it was Durant's failure to make a pair of foul shots with less than 30 seconds remaining that would have narrowed Memphis' lead to just two points. But the scoring dynamo was clearly exhausted and had hit just three of his 10 second-half field-goal attempts.
If, by some miracle, OKC finds some other way to play offensively, there might be a surprise ending to this series. But it's more likely that the Thunder's predictable offense will result in what everyone is now fully expecting: an early exit from the playoffs.
More Info: - Dutch Eredivisie
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