Losing star point guard Russell Westbrook was a tough break for the Oklahoma City Thunder but it also meant it was time for Kevin Durant to step up and that’s exactly what he did. Durant is of course the best player on the team but it’s no secret that Westbrook was running the floor as he took more shots and seemed to exert more dominance than Durant. Now with Westbrook gone Durant put the team on his back. Read more after the jump.
Durant took 23 shots per 36 minutes without Westbrook during the regular season. He matched that mark during the third quarter of game three and finished with 30 shots, his most in a playoff game. Durant finished with 41 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and two steals. He also threw down this monster dunk.
Although the Thunder pulled off the 104-103 win over the Rockets and go up 3-0 they still should be worried. They’ll finish off the Rockets but the next round of the playoffs could prove to be difficult. They blew a 25-point lead and exposed cracks in their system without Westbrook. Coach Scott Brooks will have to figure out a way too make adjustments quickly.
