“We’re not going home” the adrenaline fueled Stephen Curry belted out in the last few minutes of Game 5 to a sold-out Oracle Arena. Facing a win-or-go-home scenario being down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals, Curry and The Warriors did exactly what they’ve done so well throughout this season—Win. The series underdogs will continue their fight back to the NBA Finals again this weekend in Oklahoma City.
NBA fans, casual and avid alike, have been left wondering what has happened to the Warriors up until this point. Seldom does a team dominate the regular season like the Warriors did then get blown out in consecutive playoff contests. For the first time all series, we saw life on both sides of the ball for Golden State as they finally resembled the record setting 73-win team we’ve discussed so frequently. Everything seemed to be clicking on Thursday night in Oakland.
The always dangerous tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook didn’t exactly go quietly into the night. Although they posted 40 and 31, respectively, inefficiency was the name of the game as they did so through a combined 23-59 shooting performance. The two also totaled 10 turnovers, which proved detrimental given Golden State’s 28 fast break points. Oklahoma City’s bench didn’t provide the much-needed contributions that the two superstars were looking for with Dion Waiters adding no scores in nearly 27 minutes.
To celebrate his selection to the First Team All-NBA list earlier today, Stephen Curry snapped out of his slump to the sound of 31 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals. It’s safe to say the majority of the starting lineup in back to usual as Draymond Green handed out 4 blocks all while delivering 11 points and grabbing 13 boards. Andrew Bogut had his best night of an otherwise unimpressive series by presenting 15 to the scoring table plus 14 strong rebounds. Andre Iguodala brought his usual intangibles in the invaluable categories of defense, playmaking, and athleticism on his way to a team-high 8 assists.
With Golden State back on track, we can decisively say that they’re still in it. Down 3-2, the Warriors will have to battle on OKC’s home turf if they want to face their first playoff opponent from the Eastern Conference. Game 6 will be debatably the most important meeting yet between these two young teams this Saturday at 9 p.m. EST.
Check out Steph Curry with the wrist motion below:
Steph Curry with the clutch layup#GSWvsOKC
(via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/DPDTyf5rn6— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) May 27, 2016
