Golden State Warriors: 96
Oklahoma City Thunder: 88
READ OUR FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
The Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder will duke it out in Game 7 of this incredible Western Conference Finals. Join The Roar for the live scores and blog from 11am (AEST).
Game 6 was an NBA Classic, and one that could live on in Oklahoma history if they’re unable to win today.
(Read up on what happened in Game 6, thanks to Scott Pryde, here.)
But we’re here to talk about what could happen in the next couple of hours.
The Warriors have pulled off a remarkable comeback after falling behind 1-3, and now they hold the momentum.
Oklahoma fell apart down the stretch and after taking such a psychological blow, can they put that in the back of their minds and bounce back?
The Thunder went away from everything that has worked for them in this series and played like the Oklahoma of old. In order to beat a team as tough as the Warriors you need to have faith in one another, and the Thunder won’t be able to advance any further if their superstars can’t trust the rest of the roster.
While the heavy lifting will need to be done by Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, they’ll be looking for big games out of Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter. If those three can come to the party, along with big games from KD and Russ, Oklahoma will book themselves a ticket to the NBA Finals.
The Warriors need to continue their recent form, behind the stellar shooting of Klay Thompson and closing ability of Steph Curry.
With the NBA history books waiting for the Warriors to be penciled in as only the tenth team to come back from a 1-3 hole, it’ll take everything they’ve got to get beyond this Thunder side.
Prediction
This’ll be an all-time classic, one that will be replayed for years to come.
The Thunder will want to shut out the noise early and get the Warriors out of their rhythm. With history on the line and the home crowd making more noise than a Rolling Stones concert, the Warriors will get the job done.
Golden State (just) 101-99.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 11am (AEST), and don’t forget to share your thoughts on the match in the comment section below.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Cheers Patrick. That was an all time classic series. Hope the NBA Finals can be just as good!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Great call James, and a hell of a series.
James McKern
Roar Guru
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 2016
James McKern
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in Roarers. See you in a few days for the big one!!
James McKern
Roar Guru
Full Time Report What an incredible game. The Golden State Warriors became only the 10th team in NBA History and punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for a rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Oklahoma City Thunder started the game in terrific fashion and even though there was plenty of nerves around they settled faster than the defending Champs. Kevin Durant who had a miserable Game 6 started with impeccable shooting, hitting his first 4 shots. The second quarter was much of the same, the Thunder controlled the play but the Warriors continued to respond with runs of their own and keeping themselves in the contest. With the game feeling like it was heading towards a blowout it was remarkable that the lead was only 6 at the half. That's when things changed. The Thunder came out in the first minute and looked locked in but the Warriors quickly made them pay. Inserting Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa, the energy provided off of the bench was instant. The ball was firing around the arc and then into the lane and the Thunder looked completely helpless as the Warriors went on a 12-0 run in the blink of an eye. From that point on the Warriors looked home. The Thunder went into their shell and retreated back to iso ball through Durant and Westbrook which plays right into the Warriors hands. Behind the remarkable shooting of their backcourt dynamos, Golden State have pulled off the remarkable run and put their name down with another record. Actually a couple, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson now hold the 1 & 2 position for most three pointers made in a series with 32 and 30 respectively. With the Thunder now heading for their off season holidays the big talk will surround Kevin Durant and his looming free agency. Will he return for another run or will he just run? Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cavaliers will be Friday at 11am (AEST). Join The Roar for live coverage of every Finals game.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Really not sure why he went away from Adams down the stretch. Roberson had zero confidence in his shot. Would've been better with him off the floor
Damo
Guest
oh - and I'm tipping GSW 4-2 :)
James McKern
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in Damo. I really hope that's not how it pans out but you know that it will. Can't wait for this Finals to start.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Full Time Stats 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 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
Swampy
Guest
Billy Donovan reminded me a lot of Coach Klein these last two games...
Damo
Guest
Thanks James, Great call. Looking forward to a very interesting finals series (though I fear too much focus will be on Curry vs James)
James McKern
Roar Guru
Golden State Warriors become only the 10th team in NBA History to overcome a 1-3 deficit
James McKern
Roar Guru
WHAT A GAME! That second half from the Warriors was remarkable.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 0' GSW: 96 OKC: 88 Thunder inbound the ball to Waiters who puts up the three but it bounces out. Ibaka gets fouled on the rebound and heads to the line, makes both. Thunder don't even worry about fouling, Curry dribbles out the clock. Game over.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 26.8 seconds GSW: 96 OKC: 86 STEPH CURRY DAGGER Curry dances around the court and then hits the big three. This ones over!!
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 93 OKC: 86 Warriors get it in and Curry draws the foul on Ibaka behind the arc. Great play from Curry but thats silly from Ibaka. 3 free throws coming up. Makes all three. Durant tries the jumper but it rims out. Barnes misses the wide open attempt. Durant again from deep but no good
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 90 OKC: 86 Warriors out of the timeout bring it up. Green falls down and in the scramble he manages to get the timeout call. Wow.
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 90 OKC: 86 Durant just went on a personal 7-0 run to make things incredibly interesting. This is going down to the wire
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 1' GSW: 90 OKC: 86 Green loses the ball and gives it back to the Thunder. Durant makes it count with the jumper over Thompson. Warriors timeout as the lead is cut to 3
James McKern
Roar Guru
Q4 2' GSW: 90 OKC: 84 Durant off the timeout drains a three. Hold on! Thompson tries a tough fade away jumper over Westbrook, no good. Durant finds Roberson who is wide open but passes it up. Lost all confidence. Durant gets it back and draws the foul on Green. Makes both