This is the Hangover. We get basketball-wasted all the time. Yes, we recap the NBA every night in our own way.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.)
#3 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 111 @ #1 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 120
WEST Finals – Game 5 – THUNDER lead series, 3-2
It ain’t over.
The Warriors accomplished Part 1 of their three-step program to get to the Finals as they escaped the Thunder in NorCal.
Golden State jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first before OKC came back with the thunder (GET IT?!). Still, with extra help from Andrew Bogut, the Warriors had an eight-point lead going into the second half. The Warriors knew that this half of basketball could be their last of the season if they didn’t do something about it.
OKC did do something. The Thunder were relentless and, finally, Russell Westbrook‘s three gave them their first lead of the game, 68-67. But the Warriors pushed back as Draymond Green woke up for a bit. He scored five straight points in a critical stretch and the Dubs led by four entering the fourth.
The Warriors opened with an 8-0 stretch as Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes made consecutive threes. OKC would come back with eight straight of their own to cut the deficit to five. But Golden State brought the lead back to 11 with a Stephen Curry lay-up and free throws. The Thunder would make it interesting as they quickly scored five straight with 40 seconds to go. Westbrook would get his own offensive board after a missed shot. But Kevin Durant missed a three that would’ve cut the lead to three. Golden State survived to play another game.
It’s not like this was a commanding game by any means. Neither team shot the lights out and the stars, while scoring a lot of points, weren’t exactly scorching. But it was just a few stretches that gave the Warriors a slight edge. The Thunder were close by several times but just didn’t have enough juice to take it home. Things would’ve been interesting, though, if Durant made that three.
Also, the role players that have stepped it up for the Thunder didn’t have much of an impact. Andre Roberson had six points, which was his usual, but he didn’t make the Warriors pay on the offensive end. Dion Waiters was scoreless. On the other side, Bogut had a monster double-double and Marreese Speights came off the bench for 14 points.
The series is going back to Oklahoma City. The Thunder get another chance to close it out.
BEHIND THE LINES
Klay Thompson (GS): 27 pts, 5 rebs.
Stephen Curry (GS): 31 pts, 7 rebs, 6 assts, 5 stls.
Draymond Green (GS): 11 pts, 13 rebs, 4 blks.
Andrew Bogut (GS): 15 pts, 14 rebs.
Russell Westbrook (OKC): 31 pts, 7 rebs, 8 assts, 5 stls.
Kevin Durant (OKC): 40 pts, 7 rebs.
WATCH THIS PLAY
Steven Adams powers his way through for the strong flush.
https://youtu.be/zP4QQXMsZ5o
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA.)
Game 6 is on Saturday night. Will the Warriors win to keep what could be the greatest comeback in the greatest season in the NBA by an individual team? Or will the Thunder continue on one of the greatest playoff runs in NBA history?
Follow Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass for all tweets about the NBA and terrible pop music. Also, check out his podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental.
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