The Warriors dominated the Thunder last time they met. Golden State played great team defense and they held Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to 36 points combined. After three victories against the Thunder, the Warriors will try for the season sweep, but they are going to have to earn it, the game will be in front of a rowdy OKC crowd.
Here’s our instant recap:
1st Quarter
Klay Thompson was feeling it to start the game. He hit two tough shots and had five early points. Both teams were efficient on the offensive end. The stars were making tough buckets and the game was close. The Warriors picked it up a bit and they built a four point lead behind some buckets from Thompson. The Thunder respond with a 7-1 run and they re-take the lead. This is a high scoring game and it’s going to be a race to the finish. The Warriors finish the quarter with a two point lead and Thompson led all scorers with 13 points.
What a shot by Klay. https://t.co/6opnPiNYzF @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 17, 2015
2nd Quarter
The second unit helped the Warriors extend their lead to start the quarter. Marreese Speights hit two jumpers, but Kevin Durant came right back with two buckets of his own. Harrison Barnes turned it up a notch and scored eight points for the Dubs, but the Thunder kept coming and the game was tied at 51. Westbrook had a dunk bounce off the iron, but it went straight up and in the basket. That sparked a 9-2 run and the Thunder had all the momentum. The Warrior got sloppy and their offense wasn’t clicking. The Thunder took advantage and they quickly had a nine point lead. The Warriors allowed 69 points in the half but the Warriors finished with 60 points of their own and went into half time in decent shape considering how bad they played down the stretch.
All over your grill Steven Adams! https://t.co/nsJIH6bvr9 @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 17, 2015
3rd Quarter
Both teams picked up where they left off and continued to score at will. Durant had six points to start the second half, but the Splash Bros and Speights kept the game close. This game was all offense and the Warriors started chipping away at the Thunder lead. Speighs was automatic and got the Warriors within two. The third quarter became the Durant versus Speights show after they kept scoring at will. The Thunder maintained their lead, but the Warriors kept coming back. Westbrook threw down a monster dunk and Thompson responded with one of his own. Once again, the Warriors allowed the Thunder to increase their lead in the final minute. The Thunder took an eight point lead into the final period.
Klay with the MONSTER jam! https://t.co/Ghkt4yOhe2 @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 17, 2015
4th Quarter
The Warriors opened the fourth the same way the closed the third, with a triple. The Warriors would need a big fourth quarter to escape with a victory. The Warriors would cut the lead to four or two, but the Thunder kept responding. The crowd was into it and all signs pointed to a Thunder win. OKC was shooting the rock extremely well, so it was difficult for the Warriors to erase the deficit. The Warriors did enough on offense to win this game, but the Thunder just made more plays and their home crowd gave them a lot of energy. The Thunder would
Klay Thompson proving he’s an All-Star! https://t.co/KSEA4douGp @warriorsworld #NBABallot
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 17, 2015