Message sending: A. Westbrook played poorly to start the game, particularly on transition defense. So Scotty Brooks sent a quick message. Westbrook sat out the final 6:01 of the first quarter. When Westbrook returned, he was much better.
Small lineup: B. Against the Lakers, Brooks hasn't used the small-ball lineup he likes so much. LA is just too big. But it was effective at a crucial time in Game 3. Down 16-4, Brooks went with a lineup of Durant, Perkins, Sefolosha, Fisher and Harden. It helped stymie the Laker momentum, and the Thunder was within 21-13 when Brooks returned to a conventional lineup five minutes later.