That said, the Thunder should prefer the Clippers to move on to Round 2. Leonard and Harden are a scary duo to face, but OKC is equipped with the right perimeter defenders to slow them down. Zubac has had a career season, but Hartenstein is the perfect counterpart against him on the boards and inside the paint.

After sweeping the Grizzlies, the Thunder is lying in wait until either the Clippers or Nuggets emerge as its second-round opponent.

Meet reporters Joel Lorenzi, Justin Martinez, Joe Mussatto, Jenni Carlson and editor Jeff Patterson, the team helping tell the story about the Oklahoma City Thunder's rise in the NBA.