We all know things tend to change in the playoffs from what happened during the regular season especially with all the injuries and lineup adjustments both Oklahoma City and Memphis made in this regular season.
The Thunder didn't have their regular starting five on the court in any of the four games they played against Memphis and what has become the Grizzlies starting five was on the floor against OKC in just two of the four games.
Read MoreThunder forward Serge Ibaka didn't score the most points Friday night but he probably prevented more points from being scored than anyone else on the floor.
While most folks figure Kevin Durant has the Most Valuable Player Award wrapped up, Ibaka let his play lobby for him being named Defensive Player of the Year as the Thunder blitzed past the New Orleans Pelicans 116-94.
Read MoreOh what a difference a healthy lineup makes.
For just the second time since Christmas Day the Oklahoma City Thunder sent their regular starting five out on the court, a group that had played together in just 20 games this season, winning 17.
Now you can make that 18.
Read MoreThe Thunder lost a game they probably should have won and lost in the disappointment of giving away a game in Houston is another division title for Oklahoma City.
When the Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Phoenix Suns the Blazers were eliminated from the race giving the Thunder their fourth straight Northwest Division Championship and the chance to hang another banner from the rafters of The Peake.
Read MoreWe had all seen the movie before, you know the one about the hometown basketball team cruising along with a big lead and then blowing it at the end.
In fact we've not only seen it, we've seen it repeated a couple of times and it looked like we were going to see it again last night in Cleveland.
Read MoreA second chance can be a wonderful thing and the Thunder get one tonight against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
Thunder forward Serge Ibaka could barely contain his excitement talking to reporters about the rematch yesterday.
Read MoreWelcome back Thunder defense. It's been too long.
You could almost feel the relief inside the INTEGRIS Thunder Development Center today when reporters were allowed in toward the end of the Thunder's practice session.
A win can do that for you. Especially one over a quality opponent and a team that all of a sudden was breathing down your neck in the Western Conference standings
Read MoreAll we were missing Tuesday night was Michael Buffer asking 'Are you ready to RRRRRRUMBLE!!
In a basketball game suitable for the Octagon in an MMA bout the Thunder and Russell "The Kid" Westbrook took down the Rockets and Patrick "Bad Boy" Beverley, 106-98.
Read MoreThe Thunder led the Phoenix Suns 96-80 with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were having monster games and everything seemed to be under control
So, as we've seen happen a few other times this season, the defense decided to make an early exit
Read MoreThe raw numbers were bad enough, Cleveland 114, Oklahoma City 104.
But here's the rest of the story...the Thunder have now lost as many games at Chesapeake Energy Arena during this homestand as they had the first three-and-half months of the season.
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