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If you're wondering why the Oklahoma City Thunder are 3-1 in their first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers, look no further than Russell Westbrook's play.
Two years away from the MVP season, Westbrook had an atrocious shooter season this year. He scored only 42.8% of his goals in the regular season, 29% on three – his worst score since 2010 – and even fought the free throw line. His 65.6% line was by far the worst mark of his career.
The mediocre shots continued in the postseason and are the main reason the Thunder lost to Portland.
For the series, Westbrook draws 36.5 / 28.0 / 84.4 on its percentages. These first two figures – 36.5% shot and 28% against three – are killers.
In the first game, Westbrook had 8 points (47.1%) for 24 points, but he missed all three. The team lost this match 104-99. In the second match, he was excruciating: 5/20 (25%) and 1/6 out of three. It's not surprising that his team lost by 20 when he shot so badly. It was the same story in the fourth game Sunday when he shot 5/21 (23.8%) and his team lost by 13 at home.
The only game won by OKC in the series came in the third game, when Russ scored 11/22 (50%) and 4/6 by three. These types of games are too rare for the team to win a series. The problem is that his poor shooting games are more commonplace. He has always been a stubborn player, even when Kevin Durant was part of the team. When he hits the balloon as badly, he can no longer keep firing as he buries his team.
Watch Westbrook continue to shoot as many shots as he does with the harshness of his performances. Will thunder win a playoff series with him shooting this way? Next question.
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