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The Golden State Warriors have bounced back in emphatic fashion recording a 27-point victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at the Oracle Arena.
After a tight first half that was only separated by a Golden State scoring run in the last minute, Stephen Curr would light up the third quarter to take the Warriors to a big lead that was ultimately never going to be chased down.
Curry would end the game with 28 points, shooting nine of 15 from the field which included five of eight from behind the arc in an incredible performance.
It didn’t come without an injury scare though as Curry threw himself head first into the crowd during the first quarter trying to save a ball from going out of bounds. Oklahoma’s Steven Adams was also in the wars, picking up injuries twice but he managed to play through the game.
For Oklahoma, it was a case of turnovers and poor offensive play, matched with lazy defence at times that allowed the Warriors to dominate the game during the second half.
Neither team were exceptionally good during the first half though. If either team were playing anywhere near their best it would have been a blow-out by the break, but the rhythm was off, turnovers were high and offensive execution down.
The Thunder struggled on the glass all game long, and ended with a negative nine margin in rebounding – something they can not afford to give up against a Golden State side who said they would be comfortable with just matching the Thunder in rebounding before the series started.
They also struggled to get contributors to the offence. With Russel Westbrook completely shutting down during the third quarter, their only bright spot was Kevin Durant who ended up with a game high 29 points shooting 11 from 18.
At one point it seemed as if Durant would pull the Thunder away during a very stop start second quarter as he hit 10 consecutive points.
The Warriors turned to Draymond Green, Harrison Barned, Klay Thompson and Andre Igoudala to join Curry in contributing to the offence, and it showed as the Thunder defence had no answers.
The fourth quarter saw foul after foul as both coaches emptied their bench.
The series now heads to the Chesapeake Energy Arena for Game 3 and the pressure will be right on the Thunder to bounce back and stay competitive.
Final Score
Golden State Warriors 118
Oklahoma City Thunder 91
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a huge upset in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on the road against the Golden State Warriors, who must find a way to bounce back. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11am (AEST).
Game 1 was more a case of the Warriors failing to close things out than the Thunder dominating.
Losing the home-court advantage wasn’t expected of the Warriors, especially after they raced away to a 13-point lead at the halftime break.
Russel Westbrook had hardly made a shot and turnovers were mounting as the Thunder struggled to stay in the contest.
But in the fourth quarter the Warriors shot 26 per cent; they couldn’t find the basket, couldn’t hold onto the ball and couldn’t slow down a Westbrook-inspired Thunder.
The fact Kevin Durant only shot ten of 30 from the field is scary as well – he can only improve from this point, and if Westbrook can put a whole game together instead of just the second half then things won’t be pretty.
The Warriors must focus on the Thunder’s often-poor defence. While Stephen Curry fires their offence along, the likes of Andrew Bogut, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes must get the ball moving, particularly inside the paint, to stretch the Thunder’s perimeter defence. Bogut didn’t even take a shot in Game 1, while they were also out rebounded by the Thunder.
Turnovers mounted in the second half, and it was simply poor play from Golden State. At the same time, the Thunder were much improved on that end of the court during the second half.
What the Thunder can’t afford to do is start Game 2 how they started Game 1. Fall behind against the Warriors like that again, and there will be no coming back.
Prediction
While Westbrook and Durant can shoot the ball and get hot in a hurry, it is difficult to see Golden State throwing their season away by losing two straight at home.
Warriors by 8.
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Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde