Oklahoma City Thunder: How OKC Annihilated The Warriors In Game 3

May 22, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) dunks past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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Lineup Success

The Oklahoma City Thunder so far this series had struggled to compete with the Warriors “death lineup” or smaller more agile lineups. This game was different, and Billy Donovan deserves some credit for the changes made.

Every Thunder player besides Dion Waiters, Kevin Durant, Andre Roberson, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka were either even or minus for their +/-.

The lineup of those five is perfect for two reasons. Serge Ibaka is the only Oklahoma City big that can get out to cover Golden State guards over screens and switches, and Dion Waiters gives Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant another playmaker on the court for the Thunder.

Thunder small ball lineup is doing the job and then some. Even Klay Thompson realizes trying to out-gun OKC won't work in this series.
— NBAMVP (@NBAMVP) May 23, 2016

Dion scored 13 points on 6-of-11 from the field, and he added a new dimension as Steven Adams went out with foul trouble before the Thunder’s first half run.

With the ability to defend and score, this lineup is a perfect matchup for their players against any Warriors “small ball” squad.

Next: Curry and Green

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