The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to overcome a few stumbling blocks in recent times and make an emphatic statement when they take on the best team in the NBA – The Golden State Warriors. Join The Roar from 12:30pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
The Thunder despite sitting third in the Eastern Conference have really seen their gap to the leading Warriors and second placed Spurs open up over the last few games. Having lost three of their last four will have the Thunder worried their form is not quite up to where it needs to be as we get towards the pointy end of the season.
What is even more concerning from a Thunder point of view is that the losses, coming against the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans are, with the exception of the Cavaliers match, ones they should have won – and won comfortably.
It is hard to give a single reason as to why the Thunder lost all three of those matches, but it could be traced back to not shutting down the opposition’s biggest players. Players in each of those games ran up 20 plus points on the Thunder, and despite a solid offence it made it hard for them to win the game.
Now taking on the Warriors, Stephen Curry is having the season of his life, if that’s even possible after being named MVP last year. He is scoring points left right and centre, and shooting around 50 per cent from behind the three point line – an absolutely incredible stat.
The Thunder’s first goal coming into this match must not be to attack, or shut the Warriors down inside the paint. No, it must be to slow down Curry somehow. If they can do that, then they begin to focus on other areas of the game.
Russell Westbrook will be the key to not only slowing Curry’s offence down, but trying to match Curry with his own offence. Westbrook is averaging 24 points and 10 assists per game thus far, and his combination with Kevin Durant is one of the best in the competition.
For the Warriors, they have now won four in a row and only lost one of their last 16 matches. Stephen Curry has broken the record for most consecutive games with a three pointer and they demoralised the Orlando Magic in their last match, with a 16-point win.
The teams have only met once this season, with the Warriors taking that at home by eight.
Prediction
The Thunder just don’t have the form to go with Curry and the Warriors in this one. The Warriors have so much depth, but a Westbrook and Durant double could keep things very close.
Warriors by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this match from 12:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.
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R2D2
Guest
Curry has redefined the 3 pointer. Nobody hits the 3 regularly from 30 feet plus and when u have somebody who can,it totally stuff up regular defences, the floor is spread and whoever plays defence at the top has to play it 30 feet out...talking about creating space for teammates...Defensive nightmare
JGK
Roar Guru
IF perimeter defence is so bad, why isn't anyone else averaging 5+ 3s a game?
Glenn
Guest
That last shot by Steph was from Mid-town! Best regular season game I've seen in quite a while.
Lara
Guest
Brilliant game . K D was brilliant but Curry played a game u had to see to believe , 32 feet 3 pointer is so ridiculous it would drive a coach nuts, but only Curry could pull it off. However, Klay Thompson is one hell of a player and should also get a special mention.
Scott Pryde
Expert
SCORING BREAKDOWN 1st Quarter Thunder 30 - Warriors 20 2nd Quarter Thunder 27 - Warriors 26 3rd Quarter Thunder 26 - Warriors 32 4th Quarter Thunder 20 - Warriors 25 Overtime Thunder 15 - Warriors 18 OVERALL Oklahoma City Thunder – 118 Golden State Warriors – 121
Scott Pryde
Expert
Can we just admire this for a second?
Nate
Guest
Look, I'm enjoying the Curry show as much as the next person. However, it was interesting to note Isaiah Thomas' comments the other day. Basically acknowledged Curry's greatness as a shooter but also passed judgement on the poor state of perimeter defense these days. With the range that Curry has displayed and regularly hits from, it constantly amazes me how often he is open to take shots.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Stats and report to come. Thanks for joining me on The Roar for live coverage of the 2015-16 NBA season as Stephen Curry nailed a 32 foot three pointer with no time left on the clock to win the game for the Golden State Warriors over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Plenty of sport coming up here on The Roar. Super Rugby round 1 is done and dusted, the A-League is reaching the pointy end of its season, the AFL NAB Challenge is on and the NRL starts next weekend Not to mention the NBL grand-final series starting Wednesday and plenty more NBA coming up. Until next time, It's bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
You're right, although the defender turned maybe a fraction late to get an arm in his face. Take nothing away from Curry though, incredible shot!
Scott Pryde
Expert
So, that three fro Curry tied the record for most threes in a game.
Scott Pryde
Expert
After 53 minutes of play, the Warriors led for 29 seconds.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Pretty much:
Nate
Guest
I cannot believe that the defender had his back turned to Curry while running back then. Surely you have to stick to him like glue once he crosses half court in that situation.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME Westbrook fires straight away from the inbound but it is short coming off the rim! The Warriors snatch an incredible come from behind win in Oklahoma off an incredible Curry three pointer. What a game. Oklahoma City Thunder - 118 Golden State Warriors - 121
Scott Pryde
Expert
That was a 32 foot shot from Curry.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Curry has 12 three pointers and there are 0.6 seconds on the clock.
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' The Thunder take possession. It's all tied up and we are inside the final half a minute. The Warriors have one time out left, the Thunder none. The Thunder bring it down through Westbrook and he goes to Singler. Now Wetbrook again, Singler and then Westbrook. He drives and it misses. The Warriors have 3 seconds and CURRY! CURRY! OH WOW! The Warriors have a time out but won't use it. Curry ires from way down town and it falls! YOU ARE KIDDING ME! Thunder - 118 Warriors - 121
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' Thompson makes the free throw. Green was knocked over there as he boxed out. Ibaka with the push, no call and the Thunder call time. Thunder - 118 Warriors - 118
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' The Warriors with it and Curry inbounds to Green. He passes to Thompson who throws the reverse lay up and he is fouled in the process! And one opportunity and this is huge. 29.5 seconds to go. Thunder - 118 Warriors - 117
Scott Pryde
Expert
1OT 0' The Thunder now go to Westbrook who drives into the lane, attracting the double team and leaving Roberson open. Westbrook threads the pass through beautifully and Roberson gets his lay up to go. Time out Warriors, 33.9 seconds to go. Thunder - 118 Warriors - 115