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Thunder and Nuggets begin series in OKC

Apr 17, 2011 - 2:45 PM (Sports Network) - Northwest Division foes clash in the Western Conference quarterfinals tonight as Oklahoma City entertains Denver in Game 1 of their set.

Thunder star Kevin Durant has led the NBA in scoring in each of the past two seasons and is back in the playoffs for a second consecutive year, as his fourth-seeded Thunder square off with the No. 5 seed Nuggets.

One of the younger superstars in the league, Durant averaged 30.1 ppg a year ago and posted 27.7 points in 2010-11, leading the Thunder to back-to-back 50- win seasons since the 1996-97, 1997-98 campaigns, when the team was located in Seattle. The franchise ended a four-year drought in postseason play last season, but lost in six games to the eventual two-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Oklahoma City lost the deciding sixth game against LA by a 95-94 score. Head coach Scott Brooks brought back a similar and more mature roster in 2010-11, and beefed up the team's inside game by acquiring center Kendrick Perkins from Boston before the trade deadline.

Brooks' squad was already in good position before dealing Jeff Green to the Celtics for Perkins, who couldn't play right away because of a knee issue. Since his Thunder debut on March 14, the team has gone 13-4. An impressive month of March and half of April was just the icing on the cake for the Northwest Division-champion Thunder, who haven't won a division title since the Sonics captured Northwest bragging rights in 2004-05.

Oklahoma City ended the regular season on a strong note and has a legitimate shot at making it out of the first round this time around. Durant and Russell Westbrook have more experience under their belts, while Perkins and Serge Ibaka pose as a physical frontcourt. With James Harden coming off the bench the Thunder have three offensive weapons to throw at the Nuggets.

Denver recorded its fourth consecutive 50-win season and is in the playoffs for an eight year in a row. It was a tumultuous season for head coach George Karl and the Nuggets, who were embroiled in the ongoing saga of Carmelo Anthony and the superstar's wishes of being traded.

Since trading Anthony to the New York Knicks, the Nuggets have improved in many categories, including on the defensive end. They are 18-7 since the much- publicized trade and have excelled in other areas such as rebounding, steals, points off turnovers and getting out on the break.

Denver also lost Chauncey Billups in the New York deal as well, but it has opened more doors for Danilo Gallinari, Nene, Ty Lawson, Kenyon Martin and even J.R. Smith. Lawson has started every game since Billups was dealt and recently scored 37 points on 10-of-11 shots from three-point territory.

The Nuggets, who were beat out by Oklahoma City for the Northwest Division title this season, lost in six games to the Utah Jazz in last year's first- round playoff series.

A major advantage Denver has in this matchup is its ability to play at home. The Nuggets were 33-8 as the host this season and have rattled off streaks of 10 straight home wins on two separate occasions.

If Denver can take care of business at home, it will be a long series for a young Thunder team trying to make a lasting impression on the league. The Nuggets have faced the Seattle/Oklahoma City franchise in three playoff series (1977-78, 1987-88, 19934-94, winning two of those.

The eighth-seeded Nuggets of the 1993-94 season upset the top-seeded Sonics in the opening round, with the memorable shot of Denver center Dikembe Mutombo holding the ball in jubilation on the floor afterwards.

Game 2 of the series is set for Wednesday, also in Oklahoma City.