NBA Playoffs Report Card 5.5.12: The Beard takes the Thunder on

James Harden took his Thunder to the Conference Semi-Finals (Getty Images)

Each night, Eye on Basketball brings you what you need to know about the games of the NBA. From great performances to terrible clock management the report card evaluates and eviscerates the good, the bad, and the ugly from the night that was. Saturday night's edition compiled by Matt Moore and Ben Golliver.

	Oklahoma City Thunder	The Thunder now lay claim to "best first round performance of the 2012 playoffs" after they put the finishing touches on the defending champs. OKC showed a heck of a lot in this series. They executed late in games, they blew the Mavericks off the court in Game 3, they played solid team defense, they kept their composure through rough play, they won without their stars playing A+ basketball and they showed that James Harden can be a transformative offensive presence in the postseason with his ability to get to the basket and make the right reads. They did it all against a quality opponent. Other than more consistent shooting numbers from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, I'm not sure what else you could ask for. -- BG
	Dallas Mavericks	The Mavericks are the first to leave the 2012 playoffs, but they leave with their dignity. "That obviously was no fun, but we will be back Mavs fans," owner Mark Cuban tweeted after the Thunder completed the sweep. "No doubt about it." After laying a terrible egg in Game 3, Dallas responded with a new starting lineup -- insert Jason Terry -- and plenty of urgency. This series could have gone many different directions if Kevin Durant didn't hit a buzzer-beater to win Game 1 but most of the eventualities would have seen the Thunder, a team stacked with talent and chemistry, triumph over the Mavericks, whose season was derailed by too many losses in free agency. Game 4 offered a final taste of Dirk Nowitzki magic -- a game-high 34 points -- but OKC's monster fourth quarter comeback was way, way too much. -- BG
	Los Angeles Clippers	Another great clutch performance from Lob City and the all-important "pivotal Game 3" win. Chris Paul is such a phenomenal general on the floor for that team, and their attack of the Grizzlies' ball-handling lead to huge transition opportunities. The Clippers made plays when the Grizzlies couldn't, and they take a 2-1 lead into Game 4, at home. This series is going about as well as can be expected for Highlight Factory 2.0. -- MM
	Memphis Grizzlies	Someone, anyone, has got to score in the fourth for this tea. The Grizzlies let another lead slip away and cost themslves a chance to grab firm hold of the series and re-take homecourt advantage. The biggest problem in Game 3, along with their defense, is their continued penchant for shying away from attacking inside. Too many jumpers for a team that doesn't shoot well, instead of opportunties for Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Rudy Gay can produce, but he needs to be attacking, not drifting. They cost themsleves a big win Saturday, one that could haunt them through the summer. -- MM
	Indiana Pacers	The Magic have no business being competitive in a playoff series and if they were in the Western Conference they would have been swept by any of the top seven teams. As is, they've down 3-1 to Indiana and the series could have been tied up if a late Jameer Nelson jumper had just a bit more oomph on it. Glen Davis continues to stand out for the Magic, as he finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10-for-18 shooting while playing 41 minutes against defenders that dwarf him. He's played below the rim but has had plenty of opportunity to showcase some craftiness around the basket. You wanted to feel bad when his chance at the buzzer to push Game 4 to double overtime didn't drop but you were too busy celebrating that the game was finally over. -- BG
	Orlando Magic	The Pacers took a 3-1 series lead by virtue of Saturday's overtime win over the Magic but the performance was more "comatose" than "commanding." Despite the fact that center Roy Hibbert stands roughly two feet taller than anyone guarding him, and the fact that he shot 5-for-7 from the field, the Pacers insisted on bombing away from outside, chucking up 21 threes and hitting just six. If they weren't hucking they were mucking, committing 17 turnovers including a number down the stretch. Indiana's starting backcourt of George Hil and Paul George shot a combined 4-for-17 with 6 turnovers. Indiana continues to play down to the level of its competition and go through stretches of mindless, lifeless basketball that will get them steamrolled by Miami in the next round. The Pacers will be lucky to take a game from the Heat; that series can't end soon enough. -- BG
	San Antonio Spurs	You know the script. Tony Parker shredded. The Spurs controlled the pace and got the Jazz on skates. Throw in Danny Green instead of Manu Ginobili, stepping up and attacking while hitting from the outside, and you've got your prototypical Spurs win. Business as usual, one game from a sweep. -- MM
	Utah Jazz	Better effort, kids. Derrick Favors showed some things he could do, which is big for the Jazz' progression. But their backcourt can't keep up and their frontcourt can't deal with the defensive counters. Just not enough in this series for Utah. A sweep seems unavoidable. -- MM