"Hack-A- … Whatever His Name Is” - Kevin Durant on Hack-a-Omer Asik

In Houston’s stunning game five win on the road, the desperate Thunder, attempting to dig out of a massive hole created when James Harden made his first seven 3-pointers, resorted to Hack-A-Asik. It failed miserably, as the Turkish 7-footer made 8-of-12 free throws over the last 5+ minutes and Houston won, 107-100.

Afterward, Kevin Durant was asked about the fouling strategy:

"“Hack-A- … Whatever His Name Is.” “We used hack-a …” he stumbled, trying to say Asik’s name, “whatever his name is, that kind of slowed the rhythm down a bit.”"

Here’s the best part about the series – if this Kevin Durant 3-pointer in game three doesn’t bounce the right way … the Rockets could be trying to clinch the series tonight. But instead, they’ll need two more wins – highly unlikely – to try and upset the No. 1 seed. It probably won’t happen, and if it does, it’ll deserve an asterisk due to the Russell Westbrook injury.

This is a fantastic night for basketball. We could see the end of four series … or see one (or all four!) extended to a game seven. [Chronicle]