Film room: Kevin Durant still looking to bust out of mini 3-point slump

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Kevin Durant attempted 13 3-pointers in Game 4 against the Spurs.

He made his first two, but then missed nine of his next 11 to finish 4-for-13.

The 2017 Finals MVP is now 9-for-32 (28.1 percent) from deep in the series.

His struggles from beyond the arc actually began over the final five games of the regular season, when he shot a combined 10-for-34 (29.4 percent) from distance.

Over his first 63 regular-season games, Durant shot 43 percent from 3-point range -- which would have been a career best had the season ended on April 1.

So how do you explain the mini slump that he's in?

The only explanation I can think of -- shot selection.

Let's take a look at a couple of his attempts from Game 4:

1) Durant comes off a ball screen and has Pau Gasol on him. With 13 seconds left on the shot clock, it's fair to say that Durant settled when he could have easily beat Gasol off the dribble (even still, the shot goes in-and-out and Kevon Looney gets an offensive rebound and a layup).

2) Durant gets the rebound and pushes in transition. Draymond sets a high ball screen and Durant fires away with 18 seconds left on the shot clock. Based on the way Durant claps as he gets back in defense, he may have realized it was a "bad shot" (it's difficult for any shot Durant takes to be considered "bad.")

3) Another example of Durant settling when he could have blown right past Gasol (especially with 13 seconds left on the shot clock).

4) And sometimes, you just miss wide open ones...

Is Durant's 3-point shot something to be concerned about? Definitely not.

But it's worth monitoring as the playoffs roll on...

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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