The Oklahoma City Thunder went into Los Angeles and took a 2-1 series lead with a 118-112 victory over the Clippers. Kevin Durant controlled the game, Russell Westbrook hit big shots in the fourth quarter, and the Thunder managed to pull together a tough road win.
Thunder vs. Clippers final score, NBA playoffs 2014: Kevin Durant leads Oklahoma City to 118-112 victory over Los Angeles
Game 3 was very competitive, but the NBA’s Most Valuable Player proved why he earned the honor.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports
Durant played in complete control through the game, taking advantage of the Clippers' lack of perimeter defenders and gliding to the rim. The league's Most Valuable Player scored 36 points on 14-of-24 shooting. He also landed the finishing blow on the Clippers, draining a turnaround jumper with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter to give the Thunder a six-point lead. Here's the dagger, MVP-worthy shot from Durant:
This was a back-and-forth game through four quarters, with the final 12 minutes featuring phenomenal possessions from both teams. The Thunder finally landed the knockout blow with Durant’s jumper, but the teams kept it very competitive throughout game. Neither team lead by more than eight points and there were a total of 19 lead changes.
Westbrook came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring six crucial points and helping the team close the gap through the final 12 minutes. He finished the night with 23 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.
Blake Griffin played a well-rounded game for the Clippers, showcasing his athleticism by making plays on both ends of the floor. He opened the game zoned in for Los Angeles, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Griffin finished the game with 34 points, eight rebounds and one bloodied nose. Chris Paul had a phenomenal game, scoring 21 points and dishing out 16 assists without suffering a single turnover.
Game 4 is in Los Angeles on Sunday.
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