Thunder notebook: Jeff Green making an impact with timely plays

On paper, Jeff Green is having a down year.

The numbers for the third-year forward are down in points, rebounds, assists, field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage. But those statistics undermine the impact Green has had with key plays of late, especially down the stretch in games.

On Monday at Atlanta, Green put the Hawks away with a poster dunk on Josh Smith. Against Minnesota on Wednesday, Green came up with a big block on Jonny Flynn that secured the win. And Green had two big plays down the stretch Friday at Memphis and Saturday at Cleveland in a losing effort. Green rejected a Mike Conley floater in front of the rim, and came up with a big rebound against Cleveland inside the final minute before netting two free throws to give the Thunder a 96-95 lead.

"Jeff has been playing very good basketball,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "His intensity has really stepped up another level. Defensively, he’s very active and has been one of the anchors on the defensive end.”

WORKING TO GET WESTBROOK BACK ON TRACK

Russell Westbrook entered Saturday’s game at Cleveland having failed to score in double figures in his past five outings. The second-year point guard had made just 14 of 42 shots and turned the ball over 23 times.

Against the Cavs, though, Westbrook was noticeably more aggressive attacking the basket and, not surprisingly, it lead to better production. Through three quarters, Westbrook had 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting and added five assists and two steals against only two turnovers.

"You’re never going to have your good stuff every night offensively,” Brooks said. "You just have to keep focusing on...effort on the defensive end. With offense, it’s such a fine line between hitting shots and not hitting shots.”

Westbrook finished with 23 points on 8-for-18 shooting.

MULLENS MAKES DEBUT IN HOME STATE

Byron Mullens returned to the state of Ohio and got to play in front of about 11 family members and friends Saturday night. Mullens played 4 minutes, 54 seconds and scored two points while recording one rebound, one steal and two fouls.

Because Mullens is only 20 and didn’t take up basketball until the eighth grade, the Cavs had drafted LeBron James and come out of their franchise funk, meaning it was fun to watch the Cavs. Mullens remembered attending a handful of games at Quicken Loans Arena while in high school and rooting for the Cavs.

"It’s just good to be back home,” Mullens said. "I was always a Cavs fan from just being in Ohio. It’s a good feeling to actually be out on the court and have people watching me now.”

BROOKS PRAISES LEBRON’S PASSING

Although the Cavs were down two point guards because of injuries to Mo Williams and Delonte West, Brooks predicted before the game that James’ passing ability would be effective enough to keep Cleveland’s offense flowing. Sure enough, James orchestrated the offense from the opening tip and had recorded seven assists by halftime and 10 assists midway through the third quarter.

"That’s one of the many things that he does well,” Brooks said. "I’m sure if the guy wanted to score 40 points a game he can...But his passing is what makes him very difficult to guard. You can collapse on him and he’s willing to pass...He’s a tremendous passer. He’s an extra point guard/playmaker on the floor.”

James had a game-high 37 points with 12 assists and nine rebounds.