The interior defense of Oklahoma City should be one of the team's strengths, as Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins have complementary skill-sets.

“We're going to work good together,” Perkins said. “I never really played with a guy who blocks shots like him. (Kevin Garnett) always was a guy that took pride in on-the-ball defense. He could block shots but not like Serge. So I think it's going to be great.”

Ibaka said Perkins' man defense has helped him be even more of a factor as a weakside defender.

“He knows how to control his guy so it's easy for me to come and block shots, to be the second to help,” Ibaka said. “So I think he helps me a lot.”