The Warriors and Thunder had arguably the most exciting first half of basketball this season when they met on December 18th. Unfortunately, Kevin Durant injured his ankle in the final minute of the first half and did not play in the second. The Warriors took advantage and eventually got the victory. Steph Curry once again proved he was an MVP candidate by taking over the game.
Now, the Thunder return to Oracle healthy and will look to get one game above find hundred. The Warriors were once again without Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli, but they have managed to play well even without their two big men. This promised to be an exciting game.
Here’s our instant recap in case you missed the game:
1st Quarter
The Warriors got off to a fast and unbelievable start. Klay Thompson was on fire, he scored 13 points in less than four minutes. The Warriors scored 22 points in less than six minutes and they led 22-11. The Thunder responded with four free throws and the Dubs called a timeout. The Warriors did get into foul trouble, Draymond Green and Thompson picked up two quick fouls in the first eight minutes. The game turned into a free throw contest and the Dubs went a little cold. The Thunder were able to cut down the lead to four. The Warriors then went on a 7-0 run and finished the quarter with some momentum. They lead the Thunder 34-25. Thompson and Curry combine for 23 points.
Curry is simply amazing! https://t.co/7ubqPfDoC9 @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 6, 2015
2nd Quarter
The Warriors second unit picked up where they left off. They came out firing, quickly scoring five points, which included a thunderous dunk after a Justin Holiday steal. Green made his presence felt by hitting two triples and the Warriors led 45-30. Harrison Barnes felt excluded so he hit a three of his own. The teams then traded a few baskets, but the Warriors kept pulling away after another hot stretch of shooting. All of a sudden the Dubs led 59-40. Westbrook answered with five points of his own, but Harrison Barnes responded with yet another triple and he had 15 points at the half. The Warriors took a comfortable 20 point lead in the half.
This guy just keeps you off your seat! https://t.co/7pbOTwUHty @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 6, 2015
3rd Quarter
Marreese Speights was quiet in the first half, but he opened the quarter by knocking down a jumper. Klay Thompson got the entire arena on their feet when he threw down an amazing dunk, giving the Warriors the 22 point lead. A Durant three and back to back buckets from Steven Adams cut the lead to 15, but Green was quick to answer with a triple of his own. It then turned to the Westbrook free throw show, he knocked down four consecutive free throws. Iggy had the highlight of the quarter by hitting a triple and drawing a foul, making it a four point play. The Thunder showed flashes of good basketball, but could not catch up to the Dubs. Warriors led 84-65 going into the final quarter.
Klay throwing it down with authority! https://t.co/7DvTdNxpqw @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 6, 2015
4th Quarter
The Thunder start the quarter by making two quick baskets. Harrison Barnes continues his hot shooting and responded with yet another triple. David Lee chipped in with back-to-back baskets and the Warriors led 91-69. The Thunder wouldn’t quit, so Reggie Jackson with two consecutive shots from long distance. Curry probably felt disrespected so he hit a three from LONG distance, according to ESPN it was 31 feet. Curry decided to take over the game and he kept scoring at will. He left the game with four and a half minutes left and the Warriors led 103-81. He finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Ognjen Kuzmic hit a couple buckets and the Warriors beat the Thunder soundly 117-91. Barnes the leading scorer tonight with 23.
#Range https://t.co/ifjNwS1wQy @warriorsworld
— Alex Torres (@alextorresww) January 6, 2015