Kevin Durant gets his first chance to take on his former teammates when the Golden State Warriors host Russell Westbrook and the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oracle Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:30pm (AEDT).
The drama that dominated the talk of the off-season gets its first chance to play out on the court here, but the start of the season hasn’t been quite what was expected for either of these sides.
The Golden State Warriors, after clocking a season record of 73-9 and winning their first 24 games last season, have been incredibly slow out of the gate.
After a 29-point opening day loss to the San Antonio Spurs, they were pushed to the wire by both the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns and even though they were both on the road, they should have done a much better job in putting those sides away.
Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant finally got things going in the Warriors’ last game as they picked up an important 23-point win on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Even if Curry and Durant do click and combine with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors are incredibly weak off the bench, and their presence on the boards and inside the paint has been weak so far.
The Thunder, on the other hand, have shocked everyone by coming out and winning every game so far.
As was expected to be the case, though, there has been little else on attack than what Russell Westbrook has been able to provide, with the star clocking up some crazy numbers, including averaging 38 points a game.
What must be noted about the Thunder, though, is they got an easy start to the season with their opening matches against the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
In each of those they struggled before Westbrook found a way to get them over the line. Their match yesterday though saw them take on the Los Angeles Clippers away from home and they held their nerve at the end of the match to pull off a two-point victory.
There is no doubt there will be some feeling in this match, with the battle between Durant and Westbrook, but it’s tough to forget their conference finals series last year, won by the Warriors.
Prediction
At home, the Warriors just have too much offensive power to not win this one. Should be a cracking game, though.
Warriors by 6.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016-17 NBA Championship as the Golden State Warriors got a big win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at home. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. There will be more NBA tomorrow, with AJ Mithen taking over for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors from 1:30pm (AEDT). I'll be back tonight though with NBL action between Melbourne United and the New Zealand Breakers at 7:30pm (AEDT). Right now, Suneer Chowdhary is live with the second day of the first Test match between Australia and South Africa. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Kevin Durant has played a staring role for the Golden State Warriors in his first clash against former team the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 39 points as the Warriors won by 26 points at home. Durant and reigning MVP Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors, and after a slow start where they were actually left behind - at one point by double digits during the first quarter, they came back strongly to bury the Thunder. Despite the efforts of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant would nail three after three in a 37-11 second quarter. There was no way back for the Thunder after the break despite them being able to match the Warriors on the scoreboard for the most part with some of their other players standing up. There are now no undefeated teams in the western conference as the Golden State Warriors join the Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs at the top with a record of four wins and one loss. The Warriors now prepare to take on the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow, while the Thunder take a day off before hosting Minnesota. Final Score Golden State Warriors 122 Oklahoma City Thunder 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME That'll do us in Oakland. The Golden State Warriors way too good here and they pick up the 26-point win to tie for the best record out west with 4-1. No undefeated teams out there as well. Golden State Warriors - 122 Oklahoma City Thunder - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' From the inbound it's Looney getting the ball after a baseline drive by McGee and he lays it in. Christon pulls the trigger on a three, misses, offensive board and Abrines knocks down a three. Warriors - 122 Thunder - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' McGee now with a lovely move into the paint to hit a lay up before Singler spins and is blocked by McGee. Warriors quickly the other way and a foul is called. Warriors - 120 Thunder - 93
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Clark makes a three as we come back from the timeout before Abrines misses one of his own from the wing at the other end. Warriors around the perimeter and the Thunder have tipped a ball over the sideline. From the inbound they run out of time on the shot clock. Warriors - 118 Thunder - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
*score correction* Warriors - 115 Thunder - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Thompson and Christon both make mid range jump shots now and the lead will stick at 22. Time out called. Warriors - 113 Thunder - 91
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Thompson with a lovely bit of work into the paint before throwing a pass across the lane to McGee who hits the slam dunk. The Thunder now turn it over before Looney misses from the strike. Thunder quickly the other ay and Singler knocks down a three from the corner. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 89
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' McGee turns it over for the Warriors and then runs down the floor to commit a foul on Abrines who makes both at the line. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' The Thunder with it after the timeout and they have it tipped over the sideline. Debonis into the paint and he misses from the high post before the Warriors turn it over. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 84
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Timeout on the floor. Not much drama left in this one. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 82
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Sabonis with a nice shot out of the post now before Livingston misses with plenty of room for the Warriors. Thunder round the perimeter and Singler misses a finger roll before there is a foul on the rebound. Dabonis drawing the foul there. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 82
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Into squash time now really. Thompson still out there but that's about it as Grant penetrates the defence and slams it home before Livingston hits a fadeaway. Warriors - 111 Thunder - 80
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Sabonis now comes up with a miss before Varejao throws a ball into the second row of the crowd. Warriors - 109 Thunder - 78
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Durant hits the ground there - looks like there was a wet spot on the floor but he heads to the bench with 39 points and 15/24 shooting. Back on court and Livingston knocks down a shot. Warriors - 109 Thunder - 78
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Singler now drives into the paint and he lays it in. Thompson now knocks down a fadeaway shot out of the post before Singler loses it inside against Varejao. Warriors - 107 Thunder - 78
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Misses at both ends before Christon goes into the paint and is blocked by Durant. The Thunder with a miss through Singler from the inbound before Durant penetrates and lays it in. Warriors - 105 Thunder - 76
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' The Thunder back down the floor and Christon finds some space to make a wide open jumper. Durant misses a three now as well. Warriors - 103 Thunder - 76
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Durant makes the second. Warriors - 103 Thunder - 74