Oklahoma City wasn't stopping anyone. Free runs at the rim, wide open three pointers, and eventually the Thunder found itself down 20. What transpired turned out to be the largest comeback of the Oklahoma City era. 

Lacking the versatility of Serge Ibaka to guard the talented Markeiff Morris, Scott Brooks relied on relative newcomer Kyle Singler. Down three heading to the fourth, Brooks did something he's rarely done in Oklahoma City throughout the course of seven years, left his superstar on the bench for an extended time. The reason? The lineup of D.J. Augustin, Dion Waiters, Anthony Morrow, Kyle Singler, and Steven Adams was absolutely swarming Phoenix. Multiple steals led to transition buckets and wide open threes for one of the Thunder's better shooting lineups. 

Oklahoma City relied solely on Steven Adams to anchor the paint. Adams finished with another double-double, including 16 huge rebounds. He was an absolute force inside. With his new found ability to run the pick n roll coupled with three very good three-point shooters in Augustin, Morrow, and Singler, the Thunder's offense and defense thrived. 

Typically with Westbrook on the bench the Thunder offense stagnates, and he has to come back wearing a cape to try and carry the team to victory. When Russell checked back in, however, he fitted in. He immediately motioned to D.J. Augustin to bring the ball up the floor, and the Thunder continued clicking as the game was never really in doubt. 

One interesting thing to look at is the potential of hack-an-Adams in the playoffs. It may not matter against the Golden State Warriors, but if by some miracle OKC got the seventh seed (only three games back of Dallas), coaches could use the strategy if they struggle to stop the Thunder's high powered offense. Adams went 0 for 2 at the line, and Brooks immediately called timeout to put Kanter in the game. That is another major advantage of Kanter. With Ibaka expected to be back by the playoffs, the Thunder will be able to use Kanter more down the stretch as Ibaka, rather than Adams, can anchor the defense. 

It was a much needed win for the Thunder to avoid an 0-3 road trip. Now the focus switches to Dallas. The Thunder has all but eliminated the Suns, and holds just a 2.5 game lead over the Pelicans for the final eighth spot in the West. Eight games left, the sprint is here.  

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