The Oklahoma City Thunder just finished sending the San Antonio Spurs home in the second round of the playoffs but they had another uphill battle facing the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry was presumably more healthy, the game was at Roaracle Arena, so you know the atmosphere would be crazy and the Thunder were the underdogs. But between the Splash Brothers and KD + Russ, it was going to be a shootout.
There’s no way they would steal a game on the road, right?
A majority of people were wrong on this night. Just when you thought the Warriors were commanding the lead with Curry hitting triples from damn near half court (and beating Reggie Miller‘s 3-point record in the playoffs), the Thunder somehow crept back up and made it a game by the end of the third quarter. They were only trailing three points at that point.
Then they took the lead. Then they kept the lead without fucking it up like they usually do in fourth quarters. Russell Westbrook kept his foot on the gas and wouldn’t let off. He scored 24 of his 27 points in the second half and was part of a controversial no-call with 18 second left that saw him allegedly travel. Steve Kerr and company were completely shocked the call wasn’t made.
Kevin Durant was up and down, but he did managed to hit a clutch shot with 30 seconds to go in the game to solidify the win.
This game was the tale of two halves, with the Thunder committing turnovers left and right, while losing the rebounding battle in the first half. The second half was a completely different story.
Even as Golden State fought back in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough for them to keep their unbeaten streak at home in tact.
Durant finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Westbrook had a stat line of 27 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds and 7 steals. Curry managed to end the game with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Klay Thompson scored 25 points and brought down 9 rebounds.
Does Oklahoma City have a shot as title contenders? Many predicted the Warriors to win in 6, but it looks like the tide has turned and this might possibly go the distance.
The Thunder just the put the league on notice.
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