The Golden State Warriors have put on a shooting clinic in Game 7 against Oklahoma City to book a spot in the NBA finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Down as many as 13 points in the second quarter of the series decider, Golden State aces Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both managed to find their range from the three-point line in the second quarter and second half, giving the Warriors a 96-88 win.
Oklahoma City will be disappointed they let both the lead in this game and the 3-1 lead in this series slip, but against the shooting of Thompson and Curry there really wasn’t much a tight OKC outfit could do about it.
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Thompson started the game 0-7 from the field, but responded in the best possible way to drain six three-pointers on his way to 21 points, while Curry was hot with 36 points including seven threes.
The Thunder dominated in the paint and off the pick and roll, but with Russell Westbrook struggling from the field with 7-21 and not many trips to the line, they simply couldn’t get the ball in the hands of Kevin Durant enough.
Durant finished with 27 points, and Westbrook 19 in a losing effort.
Aussie Andrew Bogut only got 15 minutes of time on the court, only managing two points and four rebounds.
The win completes a huge turnaround in the series, which OKC had three opportunities to win, including a game on home court, but they simply couldn’t capitalise despite going out to an early lead in Games 6 and 7.
In the end, it was all about the Warriors’ success from the three-point line, with a 45% success rate from beyond the arc too much of an advantage to overcome.
The win books the Warriors in for a second consecutive NBA finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who will be well-rested and fully fit, unlike last season.
OKC
Durant with 27 points (10/19 – 3/7), 3 assists, 7 rebounds
Westbrook with 19 points (7/21 – 2/6), 13 assists, 7 rebounds
Ibaka with 14 points (5/11 – 2/5), 4 rebounds
GSW
Curry with 36 points (13/24 – 7/12), 8 assists, 5 rebounds
Thompson with 21 points (7/19 – 6/11), 5 rebounds
Green with 11 points (5/14 – 1/5), 4 assists, 9 rebounds
FG
GSW: 37/85 (43%)
OKC: 34/89 (38%)
3PT
GSW: 17/37 (45%)
OKC: 7/27 (25%)
FT
GSW: 5/8 (62%)
OKC: 13/17 (76%)
REB
GSW: 46 (10)
OKC: 47 (14)
AST
GSW: 19
OKC: 20
STL
GSW: 4
OKC: 3
BLK
GSW: 4
OKC: 5
TOs
GSW: 11
OKC: 7
GregT
Guest
I just can't see how anyone can make a definite call on who will win the series. These two teams haven't really played each other with the cavs as they are right now. Like Pete said the Warriors let OKC have plenty of open shots and this could be a real big problem. They were concentrating a lot of their effort on the big 2 of OKC. In the finals it will be the big three plus 3 pt sharp shooter Jr. smith and frye. Lebron will attract two defenders when he nears the paint, drawing the second defender being the gsw centre or another player. If it's bogut (who may not play much at all) then tt is open for a dunk or lay up if it's green then love is open at the hoop or 3pt line and so on. It won't be like last year when gsw could throw 3 or 4 players at lebron. The game plan comes from lebrons ability to get to the basket and beat one defender or use his supreme passing ability to find the open man when double teamed. The cavs have structured this team specifically for this series. Can you effectively defend against this offence for long periods? I also see gsw having trouble on the boards for the second straight series. Tt, love and lebron is a formidable rebounding trio. Tt spanked green in the finals last year. On the other side of the ledger can the cavs starting 5 play OKC type defence? Is love as bad as a defender as the media paints him? I really don't know how this will pan out.
pete bloor
Guest
Don't know Astro one thing that stood out was how easily the thunder got open looks which they missed, Cleveland should be a higher percentage on those. Warrior have to be big favourites but there were definitely a lot of positives Cleveland can take from that series.
astro
Guest
Amazing series...Hard to see the Cavs getting anywhere near beating the Warriors though. Just impossible to believe any team is beating them 4 out of 7, especially one with Kyrie and Love out there trying to keep up with Curry and Green. The Cavs have looked good, but that's against some really poor Eastern conference competition. The Warriors are a nightmare match up and could well see them winning in 5.
Lara
Guest
Clinical and great coaching by Kerr , who remained calm and instructed his team to rely on their skills and just execute. Brilliant and OKC will learn a lot from this final and watch for 2017. Durant will take heart and stay with his team.
Ironmonger
Roar Rookie
Am looking forward to hard fought final. Going into it, I'd have to say Cavs should be favourites...given their form...but it might be that Curry is finding form at the right time to bring it large! I need to figure out how I can get off work to watch it
GregT
Guest
Agreed Pete. They will be questioned enough over the next year. I didn't see the OKC players interviews but I did see Donovan's. He was very good and can be very proud. I thought he out coached Kerr. Maybe just the coach of the losing team should present?
pete bloor
Guest
I must say watching the post game I think you should let a game 7 loser pass on the media conference. The guys are always visibly shattered and then they have to answer a bunch of inane questions where they are giving answers just designed to end the process as quickly as possible. I'd have cheered if Durant had ripped the head off the reporter, mortal combat style, that asked about free agency
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Patrick for the re-cap on this fascinating Western Conf. Finals Series although I nearly freaked out when I saw it pop-up in the Rugby section as I hadn't got through the whole game at that point :) Been watching these series for many a year and this was up there with the best. Sorry that OKC can't get a crack at the Cavs as that would've been a fun watch as well. And now with the Cavs playing some complete ball this Championship Series will be mad!