NBA Finals Game 1: Things We Learned

Courtesy: Garrett Ellwood/ NBAE/ Getty Images

Three Things We Learned:

1.     Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook aren’t scared of the spotlight.

Heading into the series, the Thunder’s youth was one of the big talking points. Would these young kids shrink in the spotlight of the NBA finals, facing one of the toughest teams in the league? Tuesday night proved they’ll be just fine. Durant was the biggest clutch scorer on the floor for either team, meanwhile Westbrook showed what happens when he actively looks to pass: the team becomes infinitely tougher to beat.

2.     The Thunder are only going to let secondary scoring beat them

The Western Conference finals dramatically shifted after game 2, when Oklahoma City decided that the only way they were going to lose was if the Spurs’ role players could consistently score. After game 1, the NBA Finals looks like it will be much the same. Several times, OKC sold-out on shot fakes from LeBron or Wade, leaving Shane Battier or Mario Chalmers wide open for jump shots. In the first half, the Heat role players hit their shots; in the second half they did not. It will be interesting to see if the Thunder continue to leave these guys open all series.

3.     LeBron James will need to be great every game for the Heat to win

While he was the only Heat player to put up more than 20 points, this point is actually more about defense. We know LeBron will get his shots, and points (and assists…) every night, but for the Heat to win this series LeBron is going to have to be great defensively every night. There is no way the Heat win this series if Durant is the best player on the floor, and in many ways, that comes down to LeBron, who will continue to guard Durant as the series progresses.