Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Miami Heat 104-95, in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Finals. Kevin Durant had his usual great game, posting an impressive 36 points and 8 rebounds.

Durant’s 36 tied Michael Jordan’s 36-point performance, from Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals, for the second most points in an NBA Finals debut (since NBA/ABA merger).

Only Allen Iverson's 48 points, from Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals, exceeds Durant and Jordan’s output.

The Thunder’s Game 1 victory already places them in great position to win this year’s series.

Game 1 winners go on to win the NBA championship a whopping 72.3 percent of the time.