James Harden elbows Metta World Peace in the face on the sneak tip (VIDEO) (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

It's just like my dude Marie Joseph Eugène Sue wrote in "Mathilde" — "La vengeance se mange très-bien froide." (Some people might know "Revenge is a dish best served cold" from "The Godfather," but I feel pretty confident that the Thursday morning crowd at BDL has its "1841 French novels" game on lock.) Twenty-five days isn't necessarily that deep a freeze, but the elbow that James Harden put in the middle of the face of Metta World Peace during the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 2 win on Wednesday probably still felt pretty arctic to the Los Angeles Lakers forward. Coming with the shot clock winding down during a late first-quarter scramble situation and resulting from a Harden behind-the-back dribble to evade a World Peace steal attempt, the left 'bow — captured above by our friends at the Yahoo! Sports Minute — seemed unintentional and was clearly nowhere near as violent as the World Peace shot that floored, concussed and sidelined Harden four Sundays ago. Still, you don't imagine Harden minded creating the contact too much; somewhere beneath all that beard, there may even have been a trace of a smile. Of course, because no act of physicality visited upon the former Ron Artest can expect to simply slide past, MWP came back in the second quarter with an answer befitting wrestling legend Stan "The Lariat" Hansen:

NBA Playoffs 2012: Can Any Team Stop the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Source: Bleacher Report

We all know how good the Oklahoma City Thunder are when they score a high number of points. That's one of the big reasons why they haven't lost a single game in this year's NBA playoffs.

So what does it say about them when they win a game by only scoring 77 points?

Even though the point total isn't a lot, it tells you a great deal of how good this young team truly is.

After an Andrew Bynum hook shot gave the Los Angeles Lakers a 75-68 lead with over two minutes remaining, the Thunder began another epic playoff comeback with Kevin Durant and James Harden leading the way by attacking the basket and driving to the rim with ease.

In the midst of all of the dramatic hoopla that ensued, Kobe Bryant committed two careless turnovers down the stretch and took a bad three-point attempt with Harden right in his face, showing a side of himself in the last minutes that we don't normally see.

The first turnover turned into a dunk from Durant that cut the lead to three, and the second resulted in an acrobatic layup by Durant that cut the lead to one. After the bad three-point attempt by Bryant, Durant hit the eventual game-winner from inside 10 feet and the Thunder now head to Staples Center with a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Before praise is given to the Thunder for another incredible comeback, no one on this planet can explain what was going on with the Lakers in the final minutes. The ball movement that was there for the first 46 minutes was non-existent for the final two.

Getting Bynum and Pau Gasol involved in the offense immediately became an afterthought when Metta World Peace and Bryant turned the Lakers into a two-man game.

And then, out of all of this, there's a new moment in NBA history that will be coined as "The Decision"—World Peace getting the ball to Steve Blake in the corner for the go-ahead shot that would've given the Lakers a two-point lead with a few seconds to go.

No one truly knows what was going through the thought-scattering head of World Peace. If he waited just a little bit longer, he would've found Kobe at the opposite corner with a chance to take the final shot. But like the rest of the team in the situation they were in for the final 2:08, World Peace was feeling a great amount of doubt.

Yes, there has to be some sense of doubt from the Lakers right now. And even though no one on that roster will admit it, the question has to be asked:

Do they really think they can beat the Thunder right now?

It's simple to say that the Lakers were two minutes away from tying the series at a game apiece and heading back to La-La land with a ton of confidence and a giant wave of momentum on their side. But is it possible to believe that, just like the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are intimidated by the Thunder?

Right now, as it stands? Absolutely.

The Lakers panicked in the final two minutes when the Thunder began their final 9-0 run. L.A. wouldn't have moved away from the things they were doing if Kobe and company didn't feel a little desperation coming their way, even with a seven-point lead.

Oklahoma City has performed these fourth-quarter comebacks all postseason long. They did it three times to Dallas in the final minutes, and after they annihilated the Lakers in Game 1, Durant took over once again and led the Thunder to their sixth straight playoff victory.

And even in the final minutes, the Thunder finally realized that they had to stop shooting three-pointers and attack the basket until they ran out of gas. The perimeter game is the strong suit of OKC, but they're just as dangerous when they drive to the rim, and they proved that logic in the final minutes.

That's how Durant and Russell Westbrook can become dominant players in these playoffs, more so than they already are.

So instead of asking whether the Lakers beat the Thunder right now, the question should really be can any team remaining in the playoffs beat Oklahoma City in a seven-game series?

When they're on and playing the way they're playing right now, the Thunder are arguably the best team in the league, and not one person would be faulted for saying that they are—especially with the way Westbrook has played in these playoffs by scoring in bunches and limiting his turnovers, which makes the Thunder that much dangerous.

If the Thunder come out and set the tone in Game 3 on Friday early and often, and continue to do the things that have made them a threat in the West, then they'll go into Saturday up 3-0 and will more than likely get the sweep. But they need to be careful of the environment that awaits them in Los Angeles.

With 48 hours to prepare, OKC has a chance to send a big-time statement to the rest of the league and send one of the gold standards in the NBA to the brink of a second straight second-round sweep.

Don't let the 77-point performance on Wednesday fool you. If the Thunder can win offensively and defensively, who can stop them?

Right now, no one.

Read more Oklahoma City Thunder news on BleacherReport.com

Kobe Bryant's late mistakes doom Lakers in their Game 2 loss to Thunder (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Kobe Bryant helped give away what appeared to be a near-certain victory for the Lakers.

OKC Thunder scores comeback win over Lakers

Source: NewsOK

BY RYAN ABER

For much of Wednesday night, not much went right for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, Kevin Durant and James Harden made up for the first 46 minutes with two spectacular minutes to close.

Read more on NewsOK.com

Kevin Durant rallies Thunder by Lakers with defense and a clutch shot (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Kevin Durant is a three-time scoring champion, but his defense on Kobe Bryant helped key the Thunder's Game 2 win.

Lakers' defensive shift keeps Westbrook in check (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Even though Kevin Durant was the Oklahoma City Thunder player who finished second in the NBA MVP voting, it was Russell Westbrook who really crushed the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Depth is important weapon for Thunder (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The stars are going to be stars in the Thunder-Lakers series. Oklahoma City fields All-Stars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, while Los Angeles suits up Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Late surge gives Thunder a 2-0 series lead (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Los Angeles Lakers gave everything they had, and it still wasn't enough.

Thunder-Lakers: The Lakers played Game 2 the way they wanted, until it all came undone

Source: NewsOK

By JOHN ROHDE, Staff Writer, jrohde@opubco.com

THUNDER 77, LAKERS 75 — Kobe Bryant on Metta World Peace's decision to pass to a wide-open Steve Blake in the corner instead of Bryant in the far corner: “I'm not sure what Metta saw.”

Read more on NewsOK.com

Thunder-Lakers: Who says Game 2 was too close for comfort?

Source: NewsOK

BY JENNI CARLSON

COMMENTARY — The Thunder's 77-75 victory over the Lakers was way better than its Game 1 rout because of what it says — and proves — about this team.

Read more on NewsOK.com

Thunder-Lakers: OKC victory gets to the heart of the matter

Source: NewsOK

BY BERRY TRAMEL

COMMENTARY — After winning Game 1 in a rout, Oklahoma City willed its way to victory Wednesday night to take a 2-0 series lead.

Read more on NewsOK.com

Remote patrol: TNT's Charles Barkley credits James Harden for helping pull out win

Source: NewsOK

BY MEL BRACHT

The Thunder's composure impressed Shaquille O'Neal, while Barkley pointed out that it's going to be tough for the Lakers to recover from this game.

Read more on NewsOK.com

KD shows up big as OKC steals Game 2, 77-75

Source: Daily Thunder.com by Royce Young

BOX SCORE

I was ready. For the first time I can ever remember, I was ready.

I was ready to rip on Kevin Durant.

As Oklahoma City’s offense threw up all over itself in the second half of Game 2 he was strangely passive, kicking out off drives, not looking to score and just sort of floating. With six minutes left in the fourth, he had taken only nine shots. Nine!

But that’s why you don’t question KD. It was a big moment and his team needed something from him. So he showed up. Should’ve known.

He scored five of the Thunder’s final nine points as the Thunder closed on a 9-0 run to improbably, impossibly, incredibly take Game 2 right out from under the Lakers’ feet.

“It’s tough to find a real balance, especially in the playoffs,” Durant said. “I remember Game 1 and 2 against Dallas I was shooting too much. Trying to find my shot. Game 3 I let it come to me and find our guys. Maybe tonight I was over-passing but I think it freed me up a little in the fourth to make that shot. But I’m going to continue play off my teammates and shoot when I’m supposed to and be aggressive in the fourth.”

It’s like Durant’s game made complete sense all of a sudden. Like someone had shown me the secrets of the universe and I understood. For the first 42 minutes, I was wondering where he was, why he wasn’t trying to take over, why he wasn’t owning this game and stepping up when the Thunder needed it. But that’s because I’m an idiot, and he’s Kevin Durant. He knew with possessions being worth their weight in gold that he couldn’t force things. He tried one pull-up 3 with 2:29 left that was definitely forced. It was almost like he needed that one to just feel like himself again.

The game Durant played wasn’t his typical kind of night with 30 points on 22 shots, but it also was incredibly efficient. He finished with 22 points on 15 shots in a game with a pace of 85.0. That’s essentially a 30-point-on-22-shot game in a regularly paced affair. He was probably giving it up a bit too much at times, but like he said, you’re trying to make sure everything is in rhythm, that it’s unforced. It’s not as easy as just pulling up over someone from 22 feet and dropping a sweet jumper. KD makes it seem ridiculously simple that way at times, which is why I think we expect to see it.

“It’s a fine line,” said Scott Brooks about Durant’s passing. “I was having trouble telling him this, but he was looking to pass too much tonight. Do you tell your players to stop passing? But he was passing up good looks to get the same look.”

There’s something to be said for showing up in those moments. KD has something in him, where he’s not going to back down. I’m resisting the urge to mention another fantastic player right here that doesn’t seem to have that same something. Whereas he floats and often doesn’t snap out of it, Durant had no trouble waking up. And it’s not even as if he had to snap out of something. It’s just like he said, “OK, fine, now I got this.”

It took a lot though for the Thunder to even give Durant the chance to rescue them again. The Thunder trailed by seven with 2:08 left looking dead in the water and about to give away a most disappointing Game 2. They were 7-27 from the field in the second half and had re-introduced the halfcourt offense from hell that was based around isolation, turnovers and missed jumpers. Scott Brooks called timeout, and sent his boys back on to the floor.

James Harden immediately responded with a much-needed driving layup. 75-70. Ten seconds later, KD used his go-go-gadget arms to snatch a pass from Kobe and take it to the other end for a dunk. 75-72. Harden came up with a huge block on Kobe, then immediately turned around to hit another difficult layup. 75-74. Another stop and there the Thunder were with the ball, down one, 30 seconds left.

They had been here before. And just like Game 1 against Dallas, the rim played friend to KD, swirling his baseline Doodle Jump jumper in to put OKC up a point with 18 seconds left. The Lakers tried to isolate Kobe on Thabo, wasted a ton of time, Thabo took OKC’s foul to give with five seconds left and the ball found Steve Blake in the corner for an open 3, to which he clanged.

There’s one thing you can definitely see in this Thunder team though — they’ve grown. They’re tough as nails, built out of guts, heart, whiskey, more guts, adamantium and a little bit of dynamite. They’re one gritty group. To find it within to pull out games like these, while somewhat disconcerting see as, say, the Spurs won’t be as forgiving, still is extraordinarily impressive. They’ve built up pressure equity, where they believe as a group they can pull it off no matter the circumstance. They know someone is going to make a play. They know someone is going to get it done. They believe in self, and each other. It’s an incredible quality to have in a team, and the kind of intangible that’s necessary in a playoff run. These boys have grown up.

2-0, Thunder. Somehow.

NOTES:

• Something has to be said about the Thunder’s defense too. KD reaps the glory, but Perk’s denial on Bynum was outstanding, Harden was wonderful on Kobe, KD switched onto Kobe and did terrific work and most important, the Thunder rebounded. The number one thing that Steve Blake 3 was missing was a Pau Gasol tip-in. But OKC got a body on him this time.

• KD on his airballed free throw: “That was a bonehead play by me.” Indeed it was. What it did was open the game back up. If Durant had made it, the game was over with the Lakers not having a timeout. The plan to miss it was a good one, because there was no way they could rebound the ball and get a shot up with 0.3 seconds. But airballing was worst case scenario. Though super slim, it gave the Lakers a chance. They had to throw it full court for a tip-in, but OKC could’ve fouled, going for the ball, which would’ve put the Lakers at the line.

• KD on switching to guard Kobe: “Late in the fourth, it was just time. Coach told me to switch out on him and I just tried to use my length a little bit and play hard. He makes those tough shots and he missed some tonight. But he is good in the fourth no matter who is guarding him. He is going to try and take a shot. It’s all about playing hard.”

• The Thunder are a hyperphysical team. When the officiating tightens down, it makes it difficult for them to defend without getting whistled. This thing turned into a foulfest for a little bit and while the Thunder got the short end, they also benefited from a number of calls as well. What hurt was that the Thunder had a number of guys in foul trouble, which made it difficult for Brooks to manage minutes late.

• Serge Ibaka was a monster. Coming from the weakside to swat Bynum, helping everywhere, contesting. He could be the best defensive player in the league. He has the ability.

• Despite the game feeling like there were a ton of whistles, the Thunder shot only 16 free throws and the Lakers 14.

• After turning it over four times in Game 1, OKC did that in the first quarter of Game 2. Still, only 13 for the game, which is solid for the Thunder.

• Winning this type of game is exactly what I have harped on. You have to be able to find ways to win when it doesn’t all work. Westbrook was 5-17. Harden 3-8. KD wasn’t getting looks. It wasn’t easy. But the Thunder found stops, rebounds and points when they had to have them. This game showed us something.

• KD’s final line: 22 points on 9-15, seven rebounds, five assists. Great all-around game.

• Kobe on OKC’s late game defense: “They just made gambles and they just jumped in the passing lane. That’s not something we’re not accustomed to seeing. It was just flat out risks defensively. Jumping in the passing lane in front of the ball. Durant did it and got a steal. Westbrook did it and caused a turnover. It was a little unconventional but we’ll make our adjustments in Game 3.”

• Evidently Kobe thinks there’s an adjustment for everything.

• Major, major props to OKC’s game ops people for showing lots of replays of controversial calls. That doesn’t always happen. Normally you get a lone replay and that’s it. But they were showing three and four slo-mo replays of tight calls.

• KD and Russ were dressed interestingly again after the game. Westbrook with his Grandmama glasses, KD wearing a Miami Vice look.

• Thunder dunk power rankings: 1. Nick Collison reverses 2. Russell Westbrook left-handers 3. Cole Aldrich celebratorys.

• Kobe started the game out on Thabo, with Ramon Sessions on Westbrook. I guess it kind of worked, but I don’t really know. I think it was an effort to save Kobe’s legs for the offensive end a bit.

• Harden caught Metta World Peace with a small elbow in the first half. Unintentional, but kind of sweet.

• Mike Brown said he thought Kobe was open on the final play. Yeah, he most definitely was not. Steve Blake was. And as Scott Brooks said, “We got lucky that he missed that shot.”

• Of note: The next two games are back-to-back. That favors the Thunder big time.

• Critique for the temporary PA guy: Don’t pronounce Thunder so well. He says it, “Thun-durrrrr.” Less on that R, please.

• The blue and white mix was solid.

Next up: Game 3 in LA Friday.

Durant's heroics leave Lakers Thunder-struck (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant struck for 22 points, five coming in a game-ending 9-0 run, as Oklahoma City stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 77-75 in the NBA playoffs on Wednesday.

Thunder strike late to beat Lakers, Celtics win (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - The Oklahoma City Thunder scored nine unanswered points in the final two minutes to edge the Los Angeles Lakers 77-75 on Wednesday and seize a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.

OKC Thunder Game 2 report card: An 'A' on defending Kobe Bryant

Source: NewsOK

BY BERRY TRAMEL

Staff Writer Berry Tramel hands out grades from Game 2 between the Thunder and Lakers.

Read more on NewsOK.com

OKC Thunder: Game 2 quoteboard

Source: NewsOK

COMPILED BY RYAN SHARP

Here is a look at what players, coaches, analysts and others said during and after the Thunder's Game 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Read more on NewsOK.com

OKC Thunde Game 2 report card: An 'A' on defending Kobe Bryant

Source: NewsOK

BY BERRY TRAMEL

Staff Writer Berry Tramel hands out grades from Game 2 between the Thunder and Lakers.

Read more on NewsOK.com

OKC Thunder: By the numbers from Game 2

Source: NewsOK

BY DARNELL MAYBERRY

Thunder forward Serge Ibaka had five of his seven blocked shots in the first half.

Read more on NewsOK.com

James Harden's Elbow Gets Familiar with Metta World Peace's Face

Source: Bleacher Report

After receiving a concussion courtesy of a Metta World Peace elbow a few weeks ago in Los Angeles, the Thunder's James Harden was able to return the, uh, favor Wednesday night during Oklahoma City’s 76-75 Game 2 victory.

During the first quarter of the game, Harden's elbow met World Peace's face. While it wasn’t nearly as forceful as the elbow that Harden took, it was enough to rattle World Peace and send him reeling from the contact.

On Tuesday, Harden sent out an interesting tweet that seemed to be proven true when he crossed paths with World Peace on his home floor tonight:

Here's the video of the hit:

Read more Oklahoma City Thunder news on BleacherReport.com

Thunder vs Lakers: OKC Finds a Way In the End...Again (Game 2 Video Highlights)

Source: Welcome to Loud City by J.A. Sherman

The Thunder defeated the Lakers in a game that was the exact opposite of Game 1. Where the offense once flowed like wine, tonight it chugged through the pipes like sludge. The Lakers came out with a much better game plan and stuck to it throughout, slowing the game down and limiting the number of possessions the Thunder had. As a result, you could sense the Thunder's frustration growing as they continued to rush shots and not get to the free throw line.

The best thing we can say about this game is that OKC persevered again through their struggles to give themselves a chance to win. Their defense

Kevin Durant Hits Game Winner vs Lakers [Video]

Source: Welcome to Loud City by J.A. Sherman

Kevin Durant put the finishing touches on a dramatic comeback win tonight by hitting the game winner with 18 seconds remaining. The Thunder were trailing by 7 points with 2:08 remaining, but just like they did against Dallas in Game 1 of the previous round, they tightened up their defense, were aggressive on offense, and Durant's little runner over the outstretched arms of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol gave the Thunder the lead for good.

Thunder 78, Lakers 75: A Second Half So Ugly Your Mom Couldn't Love It(2012 NBA Playoffs WCSF Game 2 Recap)

Source: Welcome to Loud City by Zorgon

Yahoo! Sports Box Score:

What is your initial reaction to tonight's result?

Once again, the Thunder somehow saved themselves from a massive hole. It's almost surreal at this point. I'm reminded of one episode of the Twilight Zone I watched. There was this guy who was a lifelong criminal, died, and went to hell. In hell, he robbed casinos over and over again, and despite impossible odds, he would never get caught.

While I would never call a 6-0 playoff run taking place in reality a living hell, I'm starting to think something fishy is going on. How the heck can the Thunder have missed so many shots in the second half and win the game?! They

Behind the Box Score, where the Lakers absolutely melted down the stretch (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder 77, Los Angeles Lakers 75 (Thunder lead series, 2-0) The Oklahoma City Thunder were down seven points in this contest with two minutes left to play, with just 68 points to their credit at that point in the game. And though we've seen comebacks that overcome that differential in even shorter amounts of time, given Los Angeles' defensive dominance for the first 46 minutes of the contest, who in their right mind thought that the Thunder could outscore the Lakers by eight points over that final term, considering that they had to essentially pitch a shutout because of the waning seconds? Well, the Thunder managed one of the two. They pitched the shutout, but they didn't outscore Los Angeles by eight in the final two minutes. They outscored 'em by nine. The Thunder are championship-worthy, and the Lakers have their problems, but it's OK to be shocked at the way Los Angeles frittered away this contest.

NBA Playoff Capsules (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Kevin Durant scored 22 points and rattled in the go-ahead basket on a baseline runner with 18 seconds left, and the Oklahoma City Thunder scored the final nine points to rally for a 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night.

OKC Thunder: Thunder rallies to edge Lakers

Source: NewsOK

By JEFF LATZKE , AP Sports Writer

Kevin Durant scored 22 points and rattled in the go-ahead basket on a baseline runner with 18 seconds left, and the Oklahoma City Thunder scored the final nine points to rally for a 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night.

Read more on NewsOK.com

OKC Thunder: Sights and Sounds from Game 2

Source: NewsOK

BY JENNI CARLSON

Just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier at The Peake, Game 2 came along.

Read more on NewsOK.com

OKC Thunder: Q&A with Thunder forward Nick Collison

Source: NewsOK

BY DARNELL MAYBERRY

The man who takes the most charges for the Thunder said he has learned how to fall to avoid injury.

Read more on NewsOK.com

Thunder 77, Lakers 75 (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Los Angeles Lakers gave everything they had, and it still wasn't enough.

Thunder survive Game 2 vs. Lakers, up 2-0 heading to L.A.

Source: Thunderous Intentions by Andrew Kennedy

The Oklahoma City Thunder scored the final nine points of Game 2 as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 77-75 to take a 2-0 series lead.

The Thunder trailed 75-68 with 2:08 left to play in the game. The Lakers did not score the rest of the … [visit site to read more]

Thunder survive Game 2 vs. Lakers, up 2-0 heading to L.A. - Thunderous Intentions - Thunderous Intentions - An Oklahoma City Thunder Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Thunder rally to edge Lakers 77-75 in Game 2 (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Kevin Durant scored 22 points and rattled in the go-ahead basket on a baseline runner with 18 seconds left, and the Oklahoma City Thunder scored the final nine points to rally for a 77-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday night.

2012 NBA Playoffs TV Schedule for Thursday, May 17 (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The 2012 NBA Playoffs schedule for Thursday, May 17 will feature two games. On May 16, the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder each moved one step towards the next round with wins over their respective opponents. Which of these four teams playing on Thursday will win the next game of their respective series?

OKC Thunder: Game 2 notebook from Chesapeake Arena

Source: NewsOK

BY JOHN ROHDE AND RYAN ABER

Coach Scott Brooks would have traded Metta World Peace — just kidding.

Read more on NewsOK.com

()

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Thunder vs Lakers Game Thread (Game 2)

Source: Welcome to Loud City by J.A. Sherman

The Lakers return to the Thunder's lair to see if they can reverse some aspect of the beating that transpired on Monday. Tonight's game will go a long way to showing us how this series is going to play out.

Be sure to stop by the great Lakers site Silver Screen and Roll when you have a chance.

Will Mike Brown Be Coaching the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012-2013? Quote Roundup (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After the Los Angeles Lakers' near defeat in their opening playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers got dismantled by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. This sparked a lot of chatter in the forums on ProSportsDaily.com about how the Lakers should fire Mike Brown this offseason.

Kendrick Perkins Will Start Tonight Vs. the Lakers

Source: Welcome to Loud City by Zorgon

Via Bob Barry, Jr.'s Twitter Feed

Kendrick Perkins will start for the Thunder at center tonight in game #2 v. the Lakers. How many minutes he'll play? Who knows #PerkyPerk

The man says it all. It'll be nice to have him in the fold and guarding Andrew Bynum. It's also nice being able to have rested bigs play against the Lakers' bigs, who generally have to play more minutes.

Previous Update:

Why Kobe Bryant is NOT the Reason the Thunder are in Oklahoma City

Source: Welcome to Loud City by Zorgon

I know the premise of this article seems kind of silly, but it's a direct response to another article from The Lost Ogle. It's a site which I love and pretty much gets me through my day. They're 10 times funnier than I, and pretty much have the scoop on everything. But I'm not a fan of their NBA columns really, either because they're too basic or just flat out wrong. I wanted to throw out this article to set the record straight on one of the most pointed to moves in NBA history.

The premise of Clark Matthews' latest column is basically this:

I hesitate to say this because no one needs an ego boost less than

Mavericks Keep Title Hopes Alive with Rick Carlisle Signing: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, the Dallas Mavericks took the first step in maintaining their championship-caliber team by re-signing their head coach Rick Carlisle to a four-year extension. Since joining the team in 2008, the Mavericks have gone 198-114 in the regular season. Despite fielding a winning team every year, and even capturing the franchise's first championship last season, Carlisle is often overlooked when discussing the top coaches in the NBA.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game 2 Preview

Source: Thunderous Intentions by Andrew Kennedy

The Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at 9:30 p.m. EST for Game 2 of their series.

The Thunder won Game 1 by an impressive 29 points and played near perfect basketball.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points and Russell … [visit site to read more]

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Game 2 Preview - Thunderous Intentions - Thunderous Intentions - An Oklahoma City Thunder Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Lakers Must Shift the Momentum: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After Game 1, the Los Angeles Lakers looked like they did not have a chance in this series against the Thunder. However, fans know that a seven-game series can quickly change direction as momentum shifts and certain players start to get hot. On paper, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the better team, and they showed it in Game 1 as they pounded the Lakers. Still, the Lakers have the talent and the experience to get back into the series. Working towards victories in this series starts with a shift in momentum.

Lakers vs. Thunder: Game 2 Pregame Primer

Source: Daily Thunder.com by Royce Young

vs.

Los Angeles Lakers (4-4, 1-3 road) vs. OKC Thunder (5-0, 3-0 home)

TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT

Thunder lead series 1-0

View from the enemy: Forum Blue and Gold

Put Game 1 completely out of your mind. When I say “Game 1″ you should say, “What happened Game 1?” Because it’s over. It’s done with. It was a wonderful 48 minutes of basketball and fun vengeance against Metta World Peace, but dwelling on it and thinking it’s a given for Game 2 is dangerous.

However, nothing dramatic changed form Monday until now. The Lakers didn’t trade for a new point guard. They didn’t import much needed bench depth. The Thunder still have KD, Russ and Harden. The Thunder are still better. Oklahoma City at its best is probably 10 points better than the Lakers at their best. That doesn’t guarantee anything, which is why the anxiety levels will still be riding high until the final buzzer sounds.

The Lakers though, preached adjustments. What could they have changed in a day of work though other than having Josh McRoberts pull a Tonya Harding on Russell Westbrook’s knees? They are who they are. Yes, they can alter their pick-and-roll coverage some, hedge harder on Westbrook, take away his midrange game and hope the Thunder don’t shoot the lights out again. Which is a smart plan. That’s the blueprint to beating OKC. If it fails, it fails miserably, but it can work.

And then there’s the Kendrick Perkins thing again. He’s obviously not going to be 100 percent, and the Thunder had some issues defending Andrew Bynum in Game 1 as well as rebounding against LA’s size. If Perk isn’t ready to go, that could certainly affect things.

Which means to say, Game 2 is not given. The Thunder will turn it over more than four times tonight, will have to execute, will have to rebound and will have to defend. Kobe Bryant can go off at a moment’s notice and there may be a storm to weather. All you can go by is that if the Thunder do their thing, they should be just fine.

Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Red Glasses.

Lakers Top-5 Playoff Blowouts Losses in the Kobe-era: Fan's Analysis (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

As painful as the Los Angeles Lakers embarrassing blowout 119-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder was Monday night for Lakers fans like me, it has actually been worse before.

SB Nation Presents: Worst NBA Slogans of All Time

Source: Welcome to Loud City by J.A. Sherman

SB Nation's John Bois combed the nether regions of each NBA franchise's marketing departments to extract some of their most memorable slogans of all time.

The Worst NBA Slogans of All Time | SB Nation

I'm sure that coming up with slogans can be quite difficult, especially since NBA teams tend not to change that much from season to season so you always know, more or less, what to expect.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

"One Team, One Goal" - '05-06 Wizards
The fact that this proud slogan came from one of the most moribund

RSVP to Every Thunder Playoff Team, Brought to You By TiqIQ CONNECT

Source: Welcome to Loud City by J.A. Sherman

WTLC is excited launch, along with our friends from TiqIQ, a new Facebook application called TiqIQ CONNECT.

Using the app, you can now check-in (in advance) to any Thunder playoff game letting your friends know which games you are going to and where you will be sitting... if you’re planning on going... or if you’re just watching from home you can also update that. TiqIQ Connect even provides a thumbnailed seat view on your wall so friends can find you, or purchase a ticket near you.
RSVP to every Thunder playoff game, you’ll be entered to win tickets to the Finals, should they

NBA Playoffs 2012: Complete Guide to Lakers vs. Thunder Game 2

Source: Bleacher Report

The Los Angeles Lakers took one on the chin in Game 1 of their second round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the case of Mike Brown and the Lakers, a 119-90 beat down will make them reflect on things that need correcting in the following game, and there's a lot that needs fixing for Kobe Bryant and company to even up the series.

With that being said, here's a quick look at what both teams need to do in order to come out on top.

 

Where and When: 9:30 p.m. ET at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City

Network: TNT

Point Spread: Oklahoma City (-8)

Series: 1-0 Oklahoma City as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 52 points and 13 assists

 

Key for a Lakers Win: Ramon Sessions

Sessions has to give the Lakers much more than the two points, three assists and 1-of-7 shooting performance he did in Game 1.

Offensively, the point guard must get the Lakers into their sets more efficiently and become a playmaker. He needs to keep the Thunder honest with his scoring and get the right players the ball where they need it. That includes Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Bryant.

However, the biggest way Sessions can help the Lakers even up the series is on the defensive end of the floor.

Sessions has struggled defending athletic point guards and Westbrook ate him up in Game 1 with 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Westbrook and company killed the Lakers with the pick-and-roll, and if the Lakers have any chance of winning Game 2, Sessions must do a better job pressuring Westbrook.

 

Key for a Thunder Win: Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins

I expect Durant, Westbrook and James Harden to get theirs, but it's key for the likes of Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins to continue to do the job on Lakers center Andrew Bynum.

Bynum was solid in Game 1 with 20 points (7-of-12 shooting) and 14 rebounds, and while Oklahoma City would like to see less production from Bynum, they can live with that as long as no on else in a Lakers uniform is killing them.

I would expect the Ibaka and Perkins combo to be more physical with Bynum in Game 2, similar to the way Denver's JaVale McGee played Bynum in the first round.

If they can successfully frustrate Bynum, he will likely make himself a non-factor.

One thing the Thunder can't afford is for Bynum to have one of those 20-20 games he is capable of.

 

Prediction: Thunder 101, Lakers 96

I expect a much better effort from the Lakers and feel Kobe will be a much bigger factor, but in the end the Thunder are hungry and too talented for the Lakers to stop consistently.

I like the Thunder offense against the Lakers defense, and I don't really give the edge to the Lakers when they have the ball either.

The combination of playing on the road and their defensive inabilities will end up sending the Lakers back to Staples Center down 2-0.

Read more Oklahoma City Thunder news on BleacherReport.com

Create-a-Caption: ‘OK, sooooooooo, what’s all this?’ (Ball Don't Lie)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After a tough start to the Western Conference semifinals, what's Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny del Negro — perhaps the world's last honest man — thinking as he works this one out? Best caption wins a dog with a quizzical look on his face , most certainly the finest companion there is. Good luck. In our last adventure : Pretty weird dress code for Oklahoma City Thunder games, Chesapeake Energy Arena.