Heat vs. Thunder Game 4: Players Who Must Step Up for OKC

After a spectacular series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder are all of a sudden down two games to one to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

The Thunder face the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 4 and must come together quickly if they want to avoid the dreaded two-game disadvantage in the Finals.

Here are three players who must step up for the Thunder to even the series with the Heat in Miami.

 

3. Nick Collison

A big part of the Thunder's Game 1 victory was Nick Collison's effort off the bench. In 21 minutes, he grabbed 10 rebounds (five offensive). The Thunder out-rebounded the Heat in that game, 43-35.

Games 2 and 3 have been different stories, on the other hand. In a combined 28 minutes of action, Collison has recorded just five rebounds. The Heat have out-rebounded the Thunder in these two games, 85-74.

Collison is a bigger part of this series than it appears on the surface.

 

2. Derek Fisher

Beyond the Big Three, the Thunder don't have many outside shooting options. Derek Fisher continues to shoot at a poor clip during the postseason. He started out red-hot against the Dallas Mavericks, but has faded significantly since then.

He's shooting under 39 percent in the series, including 25 percent from beyond the arc. Given he can't defend speedy guards, either, he's not giving the Thunder much of anything lately. 

 

1. James Harden

Speaking of the Big Three, whatever happened to James Harden? 

Harden had been exceptional all season long for the Thunder leading up to the NBA Finals, earning Sixth Man of the Year honors, but he has struggled mightily against the Heat.

Harden averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists during the regular season while shooting 49 percent from the floor. He averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49 percent from the floor in the Western Conference finals.

But he's averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 40 percent in the NBA Finals, and he unconscionably fouled LeBron James at midcourt with the clock running down and the Thunder down three points in Game 3.

As Metta World Peace tweeted, "No brain, all beard." Harden's brain and beard must converge as one again.

 

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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1226669-heat-vs-thunder-game-4-players-who-must-step-up-for-okc

Steve Garrison Phil Hughes Damaso Marte Mariano Rivera Kerry Wood Francisco Cervelli