The Golden State Warriors headed to Chesapeake Energy Arena as they faced the Oklahoma City Thunder for a crucial Game 6 last night. In the last game, the Warriors managed to stave off the Thunder on their home court as they avoided being eliminated. Heading into the game, the Warriors would need another big effort if they ever wanted to salvage their season.
In the first quarter, Kevin Durant would get the Thunder on the board with a mid-range jumper while Klay Thompson would nail a three-pointer to get the Warriors going. After a dunk from Durant, Serge Ibaka would get himself going with a basket while Draymond Green answered back with a three-pointer of his own and a dunk from Andrew Bogut for Golden State. With the Warriors leading 12 to 9 in the quarter, Oklahoma City would go on a seven to nothing run in under 40 seconds, led by Russell Westbrook and Ibaka. The Thunder would take the lead from Golden State with the score being 16 to 12. Westbrook nailed a mid-range jumper while Thompson nailed a jump shot of his own. Harrison Barnes would get himself on the board with a three-pointer while Dion Waiters would do the same thing for the Thunder. By the end of the first quarter, the Thunder led 23 to 20.
Into the second quarter, The Thunder would go on a twelve to one run, led by Enes Kanter, Durant, and Westbrook. Andre Iguodala would end the scoring run with a layup to keep the Warriors in pace. After the Warriors called timeout, Stephen Curry would get his name on the board with a three-pointer. As the Thunder continued their lead, Steven Adams would get a measure of revenge as he dunked on Green. One may recall earlier in the series that it was Draymond Green who had kicked Steven Adams in the groin. After another Warriors timeout, Thompson would make a pair of three-pointers, cutting into Oklahoma City’s lead. Curry would make three free throws while Westbrook would only make two out of three free throws. Ibaka and Westbrook carried the scoring load for the Thunder throughout the quarter. By halftime, the Thunder led 53 to 48.
With the third quarter beginning, Klay Thompson nailed a pair of three-pointers to give the Warriors the lead again, only for Westbrook and Andre Roberson to make a pair of layups, placing the Thunder in front. Draymond Green would tie the game at 57, but moments after that Durant would tie the game at 59. The Warriors looked to take the lead back from Oklahoma City but Durant, Westbrook, and Adams continued their scoring. After another Warriors timeout, Curry contended against the Thunder on offense, but Oklahoma City ended the third quarter with an 83 to 75 lead.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Thompson carried the scoring load for the Warriors nailing three-pointer after three-pointer Westbrook and Durant scored from the free throw line. With the Warriors trailing by 5, Adams, Westbrook, and Durant were doing all that they could to prevent Golden State from not only taking the lead but from also forcing a Game 7. Stephen Curry would play some late game hero ball as he would make a pair of threes, tying the game at 99. Andre Roberson would put the Thunder ahead for a little bit, only for Iguodala to tie the game at 101. The Warriors would break away from the Thunder with a 108-101 victory.
After trailing in the series 3 to 1 in the Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors force a Game 7. The Thunder had every opportunity to win the game but they allowed the Warriors’ defense to get the better of them towards the latter moments of the fourth quarter.
“We’ve got a lot of belief and a lot of heart, and we’ve given ourselves a chance to win this series,” Curry said. “That’s all we could ask for. There’s obviously a lot of excitement, but we still have one job to do.”
For Klay Thompson, he scored a playoff-record 11 3-pointers in the game.
Steph told me before I went out in the fourth, `This is your time,”‘ Thompson said. “`You know, put on a show out there and have fun.’ I took those words to heart, and I just tried to be aggressive.”
The Thunder, who blew a number of fourth-quarter leads during the regular season but had been better in the playoffs, fell apart in the final minutes after Golden State had finally gone ahead for good. The Thunder committed six turnovers in the final 2:55, and Westbrook had three in the last 55 seconds.
“That really wasn’t – hasn’t been us in the last month and a half,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “I thought we got a little stagnant coming down the stretch.”
For the Warriors, Draymond Green had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds while Stephen Curry had a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson led the way with 41 points.
For the Thunder, Serge Ibaka had 13 points and Kevin Durant with 29 points. Russell Westbrook had a double-double of 28 points and 11 assists.
With Game 7 heading back to Oakland, the advantage has shifted back in the favor the Warriors. For Oklahoma City, their chances of closing out this series have slimmed significantly. If the Thunder make it out of Oakland with a victory, it will be a miracle. If not, then we will see a rematch from last year’s Finals.
Game 7 takes place Monday at 9 on TNT.
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