The spectators are going to see a repetition of the last year’s final in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors managed to turn things around against the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the series 4-3, although being behind by 1-3. The champions won the final match (№7) of the series at home (96-88), securing a participation in a second consecutive final game of the league against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors finished the regular season with the record of 73 victories and just 9 defeats, then they were on the brink of elimination in the finals of the Western Conference, but found the strength to return, improving several records and now they will have the chance to defend their title. So far, only nine teams in the history of the NBA have managed to win the series, after being behind 1-3 in the playoffs.
Stephen Curry was simply outstanding. He showed incredible performance, scoring 36 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and making only 3 errors. Curry scored 13/24 for 40 minutes of playing time (7/12 for three points).
Klay Thompson helped his teammates to record another victory, by scoring 21 points. Thompson scored three-pointers on 6 occasions (he scored 11 three-pointers in the previous match between these two teams). Draymond Green finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Kevin Durant was the best for the visiting team. The small forward finished with 27 points, while his teammate Russell Westbrook recorded a “double-double” with 19 points and 13 assists.
Thompson and Curry set a new record, after they finished with 30 and 32 three-pointers. So far the biggest number of three-pointers in the playoffs was 28!
The Warriors experienced a difficult first half, in which they recorded their lowest score of the season – only 42 points, and the guests went into the locker room with an advance of six points after the first 24 minutes. In the third part things went in a different direction and the problems were for Oklahoma City, who scored only 12 points against 29 for the hosts.
The Thunder were “fighting” until the very last minute of the match and eventually were losing by only 4 points – 86:90, but then Curry showed what he can do and scored another 6 points for his team, stamping the Warriors’ visa for the finals!
The finals, against Cleveland, start on Thursday, and the first two games will be held at Oracle Center in Oakland.