Dean Breaks Down Game 5 from Los Angeles

Originally Published: Apr 27, 2010 2:43 PM CDT

Dean Blevins
Oklahoma Sports Sports Director – Oklahoma City

LOS ANGELES -- Thoughts headed into what I believe is the game that determine who wins the Thunder-Lakers series.

- The Thunder has captivated the nation so much that ESPN.com has poll results that give the Thunder a 40 percent chance of winning the series—in fact 30 percent believe OKC will win in seven.

- The team with the home-court advantage is 4-0 in the series and is clearly the dominant theme.

- I disagree with Chuck Barkley who says the pressure is on the Thunder more so than the Lakers. Kobe said it best when he said OKC is playing with “house money.”

- Being back in LA I can tell you the Thunder has made a major impression and that the people on the street believe the Lakers will lose Game 6 in OKC, thus meaning they would have to win both Games 5 and 7 in Staples.

- The Thunder is a year ahead of schedule. They remind me of the Dallas Cowboys of Jimmy Johnson who won a Superbowl a year earlier than they expected to be in the playoff hunt.

- OKC and Dallas were led by a triumvirate of stars: championship. OKC has Durant, Westrbook and Green. Dallas had Aikman, Smith and Irvin.

- Offseason move that could lead the Thunder to the NBA Finals next season: Add Dallas center Brendon Heywood. It’s possible.

- Prediction: I give OKC a 4 in 10 chance to win tonight’s Game 5.

Headed to Staples?.hope you tune in to KWTV beginning at 4 Central. Regardless of tonight, I expect to travel back out here for Game 7!