Serge Ibaka is averaging 14 points per game and has upped his midrange shooting percentage from 43 percent to 55 percent (57-of-104).

“It definitely helps,” Scott Brooks said of Ibaka’s improved shooting. “He’s playing with more offensive confidence and our team is playing with more offensive confidence giving it to him.”

Ibaka is shooting a better percentage from midrange than Thunder teammates Kevin Durant (55-for-123), Russell Westbrook (40-for-115) and Kevin Martin (24-for-65).

 “He’s one of the best pop guys in the league at that position,” Brooks said. “A 17-foot jump shot, I would take that shot probably over anybody on our team.”