But maybe the more curious thing was Westbrook. Not often do you see a time where Westbrook and Durant were both off the floor for the Thunder in the playoffs. But for the entire final five minutes of the third quarter, OKC played without its two best players. In Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
I took him out a couple minutes early just to settle him down, and put him right back in, said Scott Brooks. Thats coaching, and we moved on. Its nothing against ‑‑ he had a bad stretch. He turned it over, and he took a tough lay‑up.
You want to settle Westbrook down? Take a timeout. Dont bench him. Because he wasnt put right back in, as Brooks says. He sat the final five minutes, as the Heat came from 10 down to lead by two heading to the fourth.
Its coachs decision, Westbrook said of being sat. Got to live with it.
Also: Got to live with a 2-1 series deficit.
It was a mistake, plain and simple. The Thunder took out their two primary scorers and tried to rely on Harden, who was suffering through a horrible night. The Thunder were punished by the settle down decision too. Just seven points, 1-of-10 shooting and a lead relinquished.
Thats whats kind of interesting about this game. Through all the supposed criticism Westbrook took after Game 2, the Thunder probably needed more of him. More shots, more attacks, more Russell Westbrook being Russell Westbrook. When Durant went out, it was time for Westbrook to be the best player on the floor, as he often is. Except its hard to be when youre sitting next to Mo Cheeks.
