Thunder, Spurs battle in Game 1

Mike and Mike in the Morning

ESPN LA 710's Dave Miller discusses Lakers-Thunder, Thabo Sefolosha's defense on Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook's efficiency, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett and more.

NBA - Bryant struggled vs OKC this season

In three games against the Thunder this season, Bryant averaged just 24.3 points on 30.7 percent shooting (23-75) - down from his season averages of 27.9 points and 43.0 percent. But Bryant particularly struggled against Sefolosha, going just 9-33 (27.2 percent) from the field this season when Sefolosha was the primary on the ball defender against him (Sefolosha played in two of three games against the Lakers this season).

NBA - Durant vs Bryant

The Lakers-Thunder Western Conference Semifinals match-up features two of the best scorers in the game - Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. But which one comes out on top may very well be determined by whose defensive specialist performs better - the Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha or L.A.'s Metta World Peace. In three games against the Lakers this season, Durant and World Peace were on the floor together for a total of 77 minutes - with Durant being World Peace's primary assignment on the defensive end for the vast majority of that time. Extending Durant's numbers out to 40 minute averages - which is slightly above his 2011-12 minutes per game (38.6) - shows just how much of an impact World Peace had on Durant. With Peace on the court, Durant scored just 22.9 points per 40 minutes, down 6.2 points from his season average of 29.1. Durant connected on 17 of 40 shots (42.5 percent) in the 77 minutes he was on the floor with World Peace, also well below his season average of 49.6 percent. And while Durant makes a living at the line (7.9 FTA per 40 minutes), he averaged getting there just 2.6 times. While Durant will have his hands full with World Peace, Lakers star Kobe Bryant will be busy fending off Thabo Sefolosha. Bryant struggled mightily with his shot against the Thunder in three games this season - 24.3 points per game on 30.7 percent from the field (23-75) - down from his season averages of 27.9 points and 43.0 percent. But Bryant particularly struggled against Sefolosha, going just 9-33 (27.2 percent) from the field this season when Sefolosha was the primary on the ball defender against him (Sefolosha played in two of three games against the Lakers this season). Since Sefolosha's first full season with the Thunder back in 2009-10, Bryant has shot just 39.6 percent (72-182) from the field in the 360 minutes he's been on the floor with Sefolosha (six postseason games in 2010 included).

Thunder's Harden wins Sixth Man of the Year

For James Harden, the notion that he could impact a game just as much off the bench as he would from the starting lineup didn't really click until he was forced to test it out.

ESPNLA On-Air

Royce Young of ESPN.com True Hoop Network who covers the Oklahoma City Thunder joins Andy and Brian Kamenetzky to preview the Lakers match up against the Thunder in Staples Center.

about 36 days ago |