Oklahoma City Thunder need starts to improve to beat Miami Heat in NBA Finals

TULSA - Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks had a very telling comment during a time out in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City with his team down 18-2.

"We are getting outhustled, there is no other way to put it."

It was another poor start  for the Thunder, this time against a Miami Heat team that had LeBron James, DeWayne Wade and Chris Bosh playing their best games collectively in weeks.

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OKC had come from behind from double digit deficits in playoff games this season, but there would not be a fifth. At least not yet.

As a result of the poor start, Miami tied the best of 7 series at 1 apiece heading for South Beach for Games 3, 4, and 5.

To a man, every member of the Thunder made mention of the slow start.

"Has to stop," exclaimed guard James Harden.
"Can't rely on heroics," responded Nick Collison.

Coach Brooks said he wasn't even going to watch the 4th quarter of the game film, but concentrate on the first 8 minutes. Did we mention it was 18-2, and 20-5 before 6th man of the year James Harden entered the game and stopped the bleeding.

When I asked Derrick Fisher if he thought Kevin Durant was fouled by James with 7 seconds left to try and tie the game, Fisher looked at me and said, "It is irrelevant. We should not have been down by an 18-2 score in the first place. We have to find a way to stop these poor starts, in particular on the road for the next 3 games."

How true.

So what does Brooks do to stop the poor starts. If effort is the key, my guess is the message has already been sent by post game comments by Brooks. "We have to be tougher!"

By now, matchups have already be established. Maybe Harden needs to check in a little earlier in future games.

To bring the series back to Oklahoma, the Thunder needs to win one in Miami. Two wins would set up a possible clincher in Game 6.

Count on a Game 7.

But let us first get through Game 3 Sunday night.

The Thunder is a very good 18-4 this season in games after losses. But this isn't the Charlotte Bobcats. This is MVP James and a healthier Wade and Bosh.

Prediction.

Thunder wins Game 3, Miami Game 4, Thunder Game 5, Heat Game 6, Thunder Game 7.

Celebration two days later. NBA champs in Oklahoma.