The Golden State Warriors face a win or go home battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. Join The Roar for the live blog and scores from 11am (AEST).
Nobody had this playing out the way that it has, the record-breaking Warriors, who eclipsed the 96 Bulls regular season record by going 73-9, find themselves in a 1-3 hole.
Ever since ‘The Kick Heard Round the World’ the Warriors been a shell of their former selves. Unanimous MVP Steph Curry has looked human and Draymond Green has actually been a bit of a liability to the team.
Over the last two games Steph has averages of 21.5 ppg, 4 apg and 5 rpg. Those numbers seem okay for a normal player, but Steph isn’t a normal player. When you breakdown the points per game he’s actually shooting a horrible 35 per cent from the field, coupled with 23.8 per cent from deep – a far drop from his regular season percentages of 50 per cent and 45 per cent.
Now those numbers are alarming and leads you to believe that something is wrong with Steph, however he says he’s fine.
Let’s make him feel a bit better; while his numbers are down they’re not as bad as the Warriors number 2.
Green has averages of 6 ppg, 2.5 apg, 7.5 rpg. He’s shooting a woeful 12.5 per cent from the floor and 0 per cent from deep. Throw into this that over the last two games his +/- is a combined -73.
Now all of that might seem confusing but what it all means for the Warriors is one thing: trouble.
Meanwhile, Thunder megastars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are playing some of their best basketball ever together. And they’re getting it done on both ends of the floor, which is something they’ve never been able to piece together over such a period.
Depth is critical when it comes to the playoffs and while the Warriors’ bench is the stronger list on paper, its been the Thunder secondary that has stood tall.
Being back in the Bay Area is a good sign for the Warriors, but unless they get the normal production from Steph and Draymond they will be going fishing, while the Thunder will be dancing on through to the NBA Finals.
Prediction
The Warriors lost back-to-back games for the first time all season when they went down in Game 4. They’re far too historically great to not go down without a fight; they will take this and force a Game 6.
Warriors by 9
James McKern
Roar Guru
Warriors weren't dominant but I feel the game was coming back to them. Think they get it together in Game 6 but OKC just refuse to let up. Won't leave them alone at all. I think Game 6 will be even close than today
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
I don't think the Warriors were exactly dominant in this game, I get a feeling OKC will run them out of the arena fairly quickly.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Thanks Sam. Great chatting to you throughout the game. Can't wait for Game 6
James McKern
Roar Guru
Cheers Scott, was an incredible game. Yeah not sure about Game 6, see how they pull up after that battle.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Full Time Report Hands down the best game of this series. An incredible effort from both sides and just an all out war. Both teams looked out on their feet at the end of this game and I for one was exhausted just watching. The Warriors live to fight another day and will now turn their attention to Game 6 which will take place on Sunday at 11am (AEST). Behind the stellar play of the Warriors backcourt duo, the Warriors again looked like a dominant basketball team. They weren't able to piece it together for a full 48 minutes however what they did piece together was enough to get the job done. Combining for 58 points and shooting 41% from the field coupled with the stellar inside play of Aussie big man Andrew Bogut the series lives on. Kevin Durant put everything into this game and the former MVP was back to his scoring best and attacking relentlessly. His running mate in Westbrook tried doing the same however too many times his attacks into the paint where out of control and he forced turnovers, finishing the game with 7. As the game came down to the death a match up that the Thunder would look to exploit was prominent. the 6'11" Kevin Durant was being guarded by the 6'3" Stephen Curry and it was the little man who came away with the chocolates in back to back possessions. Stripping the ball from Durant both times and then running the floor. At the start of the fourth quarter with the game up for grabs, Golden State had a line up of Shaun Livingston, Leandro Barbosa, Harrison Barnes, Andre Igoudala and Mo Speights. They quickly rattled off an 8-0 run and effectively put the game out of the Thunders reach. An incredibly unlikely run that caught the Thunder off guard was the winner for the Warriors. My keys for the Warriors before the game included their bench and the heart they needed to show. Both of those boxes got ticked and in a big way tonight. The Warriors bench outscored the Thunder 30-13, believe it or not Mo Speights outscored the Thunder bench himself 14-13. The heart shown by the Warriors was there for all to see and the crowd loved every minute of it. With the series heading back to Oklahoma and the Warriors again needing to win to force a Game 7 back home they'll need everything they produced tonight and more. Can the series continue or will Oklahoma advance to the NBA Finals. Join us Sunday for the live blog and scores.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks James, Great call - have been following along - not sure they will win game 6 though.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Good call James. Great chatting with you at times during the game. Onto game 6 now which should be great..
Ken Brott
Guest
Thanks for the excellent coverage of the game. KB
James McKern
Roar Guru
Full Time Player Stats Stephen Curry 31 points (9/20 - 3/8), 6 assists, 6 rebounds Klay Thompson 27 points (8/21 - 2/9), 2 assists, 5 rebounds Andrew Bogut 15 points (7/9), 2 assists, 14 rebounds Kevin Durant 40 points (12/30 - 3/10), 4 assists, 7 rebounds Russell Westbrook 31 points (11/29 - 3/9), 8 assists, 7 rebounds Serge Ibaka 13 points (5/10 - 3/5), 3 assists, 9 rebounds
James McKern
Roar Guru
Full Time Stats FG GSW: 40/84 (47%) OKC: 39/91 (42%) 3PT GSW: 9/24 (37%) OKC: 13/30 (43%) FT GSW: 31/34 (91%) OKC: 20/23 (87%) REB GSW: 45 (11) OKC: 44 (9) AST GSW: 23 OKC: 23 BLK GSW: 6 OKC: 2 STL: GSW: 13 OKC: 8 TOs GSW: 15 OKC: 18
James McKern
Roar Guru
GAME OVER! Golden State Warriors 120 defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 111 Thunder lead series 3-2 with Game 6 to be back in Oklahoma on Monday. Stats + Report to come
James McKern
Roar Guru
How the hell did he make that?
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 0' GSW: 120 OKC" 111 Thunder call the timeout with 15 seconds left on the clock, not much left to decide in this one. Warriors have staved off elimination in this one. Out of the timeout Thunder Get it to Morrow who somehow hits an incredible three, Warriors get it to Thompson and he's fouled. Makes 2 more FTs
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Nice shot from Morrow.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 0' GSW: 118 OKC" 108 Curry back to the line and makes both. This game is what this series deserved. OKC can't get a shot to fall as they had around 3 different looks. Green is fouled going up for the rebound and will now head to the line. Makes both. Game over
CJ
Guest
Come on u Dubs
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 0' GSW: 114 OKC" 108 Silly play from Harrison Barnes as he fouls Kevin Durant from the sticker mark just inside halfcourt. Goes to the line for three and makes them all. Warriors inbound the ball to Curry and rather than foul the Thunder swarm and get the steal, Westbrook then drives on Thompson and is fouled by Thompson. Misses the FT but gets the rebound out to Durant who misses the three. Warriors get it.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 0' GSW: 114 OKC: 103 Billy Donovan picks up a technical foul and Curry shoots the FT, makes it. Thunder get it in to Westbrook and he feeds Durant who dances past Thompson for the easy dunk. Thompson gets the pass and is fouled instantly, FT game starting now. Klay makes both 55.7 seconds left on the clock, Warriors up 11
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 111 OKC: 101 Curry again comes up with the huge defensive stop on Durant. Holds the ball and then goes to work on Adams, drives into the line and finishes between Adams and Ibaka on the reverse. 10 point lead with a minute left to play. The MVP came to play! Thunder timeout
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 109 OKC: 101 Great defense from Thompson on Durant as he forces him into a tough jumper. Fight for the rebound and Curry comes away with it and Roberson bodies him a long way out and is called for the foul. That's his sixth so he'll sit, Curry to the line for two. Makes both