May Everyone Protect the Oklahoma City Magic?

The Oklahoma City Thunder's decisive 116-97 conquer the Golden State Warriors on Thursday not just moved Kevin Durant and Co. to within a half-game of the San Antonio Spurs for the No. 1 location out West, it also exhibited the kind of easy athleticism that may make OKC irresistible in the postseason. Durant absolutely dominated the overall game, employing his superior size and skill to easily get any opportunity he needed against numerous overmatched Warriors defenders. On the night, he concluded with 31 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists on an extremely efficient 10-of-16 from the ground. He wasn't alone in his superiority, though. Serge Ibaka ate David Lee living and Russell Westbrook flew all around the ground as if he'd a jet pack concealed beneath his jersey. A particular play summarized OKC's combined athletic superiority better than any other: To be honest, the Warriors are hardly known for his or her defense. Any doubt about that should quickly dissipate when watching the above show. No body stops Durant, Lee makes a swipe at the ball to make it seem like he is trying (one of his true specialties) and rookie Festus Ezeli doesn't even seem to know he's going to be dunked on. However, the play begins and ends with remarkable achievements by Thunder people. The question is: Can anybody in the West hold up? Well, statistically talking, the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies will be the only playoff groups in the Western Conference who've come close this year. Both of the groups have placed OKC to offensive effectiveness ratings of around 103 items per 100 items. As a result, Memphis has notched two wins in three tries from the Thunder, while the Spurs have split their four conferences with OKC. Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Activities Whether these numbers can hold up over a series is another problem, although. With more youth and strength than their opponents, it stands to reason that the Thunder could be able to wear down nearly every opponent with their constant attack. Memphis' bruising safety and deliberate speed have now been successful in individual matchups, but beating OKC four times in seven tries is yet another story. To get it done, the Grizzlies could have to stay disciplined and hope that the Thunder don't force them to get small. When that takes place, Serge Ibaka begins to cause trouble. OKC's shot-blocking major man ruined the Warriors with ruthless efficiency. In 28 minutes, he scored 17 points, got seven panels and plugged three shots while shooting 7-of-11 from the area. He even made both of his free throws and knocked down a double. Oh, and of course he produced a jaw-dropping highlight when he met the much bigger Andrew Bogut at the edge, denying the Aussie middle a dunk. A quick check through the remainder of the Thunder's potential Western Conference playoff foes shows that the outcome of all line against OKC will look as being similar to what Ibaka did to Bogut on that last playa'meaning Oklahoma City's excellent athleticism will leave competitors feeling rejected. If the Thunder meet both the L.A Clippers or the L.A. Lakers in a possible second-round collection, it'll perhaps not be much of a match. OKC has posted offensive scores of at least 114 points per 100 assets against both groups from Los Angeles, en route to a combined 6-1 record. The Houston Rockets will not be much of a threat, often. James Harden and Co. May possibly like to play fast, but no one has got the thoroughbreds OKC does. An up-and-down rate could be the fastest solution to a set defeat. Knowing that, it is maybe not surprising that the Thunder have taken the Rockets out in two of the clubs' three meetings in 2013. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports And we will have quite a good idea of how a line with the Warriors could come out, too. Eventually, the Thunder find a way to review, around or through nearly any Western Conference opponent. And even when a staff like the Grizzlies tries to show a set in to a knock-down, drag-out slugfest for a game title or two, it is going to be awfully hard to keep the Thunder from getting free ultimately. With the postseason just a couple days away, it doesn't appear to be anybody can stop the Thunder. *All numbers via NBA.com

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