BROOKLYN – With Paul George and Russell Westbrook at the center, a mob of Thunder blue formed underneath the basket. Westbrook was bouncing around like a pinball, the biggest smile on his face.
Seconds earlier, he bounced toward the sideline for an inbounds pass with 8.1 seconds left. He could have shot, but he recognized the defense and flipped back to George's scorching hot hand.
Every one of George's 47 points was needed Wednesday in a 114-112 win against the Nets, none more important than his 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds left off Westbrook's deft pass.
More often than not Wednesday at the Barclays Center, the Thunder's defense was a scrambled mess in the halfcourt and in transition.