Players, Coaches Sound off on Thunderous Crowd in Game 3

By Tiffany Stockton, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Thunder is preparing for Game 4 of the NBA playoffs Saturday at the Ford Center after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 101-96 in Game 3 Thursday, but its not just the Thunder who are getting the credit for the win. 

Thursday's sold out crowd in the Ford Center brought with them a booming will for the Thunder to win.

"It was phenomenal. I couldn't hear myself at one point," said the Thunder's Kevin Durant. "They kept us in the game. That's truly the meaning of home court advantage."

The Thunder's Head Coach Scott Brooks sounded off on the crowd's game-changing impact in Game 3.

"I was actually disappointed in the crowd because all year long I thought they were the best crowd, the best. They just gave us so much energy. They gave their best throughout the year, but I realized they were sandbagging," Brooks said.

"They did keep us in the game. They helped us along. They've done it all year and battled with us, and the crowd inspired our guys and our guys inspired the crowd. This crowd was intense, and it was so loud."

More On News9.com: Media Across the Nation Giving Notice to Thunder Win 

Even the Lakers said they were caught off guard by the thunderous crowd.

"It was one of the loudest crowds that I have played in front of," said Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Guard.

The Lakers Head Coach said the Thunder fans definitely played a factor into the second half of the game.

"The inspirational finish to that third quarter carried some momentum into the fourth quarter and had us on our heels most of the fourth quarter," said L.A. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson.

Read more about the Thunder and Lakers' upcoming Game 4 in Oklahoma City.