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Defender balks, Russell Westbrook dunks over him (GIF)

Feb 19, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball to forward Nick Collison (4) in front of Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball to forward Nick Collison (4) in front of Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook took the lane that quickly opened and slam dunked the ball with authority in the team’s win on Thursday.

Defending Russell Westbrook is usually easier when you stand in front of him. Just ask Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons, who casually shuffled aside as Westbrook leaped up and threw down a dunk that was anything but casual.

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We would agree with the poster that there are indeed more effective strategies for dealing with a guard who would prefer to drive to the basket and slam the ball in the hoop as opposed to doing something else. High probability shots and such must take precedent, after all.

Westbrook slammed that and other shots to lead his team with 34 points and ten assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder smacked the visiting Mavericks on Thursday night by a score of 104-89. Something tells us coach Rick Carlisle wasn’t too crazy about the defensive effort that accompanied a lousy night of shooting.

The Mavericks shot just 36% from the field while the Thunder ran wild on them. Oklahoma City has spent most of the season on the outside of the playoff bubble, but right now they’re a team no one wants to play.

With Westbrook and Kevin Durant back and healthy, the Thunder are tied for 8th place in the conference on the heels of a four-game winning streak. If teams don’t start standing in their way, OKC could be back in a big way just in time for the playoffs.

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