14°c Partly cloudy
13°c Rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Cornered Thunder hard to call dead
MIAMI -- Down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, history says the Oklahoma City Thunder aren't coming back.
Nobody has ever rallied from that deficit in the finals. Then again, few have erased a 2-0 deficit in any playoff series, and the Thunder did that just one round ago when they charged past the San Antonio Spurs.
So don't write off the Thunder just yet.
"We didn't get here just to make it here and say we made it to the finals. We want to come in here and we want to try to get a title," Kevin Durant said Wednesday. "It's all about, keep competing until that last buzzer sounds and that's what we're going to do. That's the type of city we play for, a city that never gives up. That's the type of team we are."
The Miami Heat can wrap up their second NBA title with a victory tonight in Game 5. If the Thunder win, they would get the series back to Oklahoma City, where they are 9-1 this post-season.
"We're not going to give up," Durant said, though his quiet tone sounded more hopeful than defiant. "We're going to keep fighting to the end and hopefully we can take this thing back to the crib."
That became a little tougher after James Harden bruised his left hand during the Thunder's 104-98 loss on Tuesday. Already struggling through two miserable games in Miami, Harden sat out a portion of practice Wednesday to ice the hand but is expected to play Thursday.
The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year has shot two of 10 in both games in Miami, falling to 13 for 37 (35 per cent) in the series. He is averaging 10.8 points, six below his regular-season average.
"It's definitely frustrating when those shots get open and don't go in, but you've got to continue to play," Harden said. "Especially for a player like me, I rely on more than just shooting, on just scoring the basketball. Obviously that aspect of my game has to be picked up in order for us to win games."
"If we miss a few shots, so what? We're going to keep going back to them. That's what teammates do," Durant said. "But I have faith in my teammates no matter what. I never think it's too late."
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 21, 2012 C11
More Basketball
- Back to Top
- Return to Basketball
More Basketball
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Randolph struggles as Grizzlies lose Game 1, 105-83
05/19/2013 7:23 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Basketball
- Serbian police say former Heat, Mavericks player Predrag Danilovic seriously injured in fight
- Anthony blocked in fourth quarter as Knicks knocked out by Pacers in Game 6
- Capsule preview of the NBA's conference finals
- Randolph struggles as Grizzlies lose Game 1, 105-83
- 'It's only right': After fierce series a year ago, Heat and Pacers to meet in East finals
- Hornets sign F Lou Amundson for the remainder of the season and release C Henry Sims
- Death of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling's son ruled accidental, drug-related
- Mayor: Deal to sell Kings to Sacramento group has been signed
- Grizzlies have sights set higher than Western Conference finals against 4-time champion Spurs
- Slow start to 4th quarter costly for Bucks, who fall to Heat 98-96 and trail series 2-0
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- Top prospect follows his heart
- James shrugs off flopping accusations as Heat try to go up 3-1 on Bulls in Eastern semifinals
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Serbian police say former Heat, Mavericks player Predrag Danilovic seriously injured in fight
- Grizzlies assistant coach Barry Hecker no longer with the team due to 'personal matter'
- Spurs hold off Warriors 94-82 in Game 6, advance to Western Conference finals against Memphis
- Warriors forward Harrison Barnes leaves playoff game with head injury
- Mayor: Deal to sell Kings to Sacramento group has been signed
- Column: Short-handed Bulls were most heartwarming tale of NBA post-season, but it's over.
- Judge says auction house cannot sell Kobe Bryant's stuff yet as legal issues get complicated
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Jason Collins: Support after his decision to come out as gay NBA player has been 'incredible'
- 'Do me a solid' and free jailed American, Dennis Rodman asks North Korean leader in tweet
- Obama, Bill Clinton commend NBA player Collins on coming out as gay, offer support
- Real Madrid upsets Barcelona 74-67, Olympiakos stuns CSKA 69-52 to reach Euroleague final
- Olympiakos retains Euroleague title by recovering from 17-point deficit to beat Madrid 100-88
- MB Basketball hall of fame names new inductees
- LeBron James wins MVP for 4th time, 1 vote shy of being a unanimous selection
- Boston writer explains why he didn't cast MVP ballot for LeBron James
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.