Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook dominated Game 1 for the Thunder, with Durant finishing with 41 points and Westbrook 31 as the duo showed why it’s the best 1-2 punch in the West. Durant, the NBA scoring champion the past two seasons, didn't score more than 32 in any playoff game last season. Westbrook never got more than 27. Those two had 25 of the Thunder’s 38 field goals.

But the key play came off a Westbrook miss. His jumper from the right side caromed off the rim and center Kendrick Perkins was credited for the tip-in with 1:06 remaining to put Oklahoma City up 102-101. Several Nuggets looked for it to be waved off as basket interference, and coach George Karl insisted after the game: "Obviously it was goaltending."

The NBA later agreed that the basket shouldn’t have counted. It seemed to deflate Denver even though the game was still in doubt and plenty of time remained. Denver missed its final five shots from the field in Game 1. The Nuggets are unlikely to have guard Arron Afflalo tonight because of his hamstring injury. He averages 12.6 points per game and would be one of the players to defend Westbrook if/when he gets back. Denver also needs to be better from the free-throw line as it missed 12 in Game 1.

Even though Karl hates double-teaming, look for him to do that tonight on Durant and make other players step up. OKC’s Serge Ibaka and James Harden, the Thunder's third and fourth scoring options, combined to shoot 2 for 13 from the field in Game 1.

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