The Golden State Warriors are returning to the NBA Finals for a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 96-88 Game 7 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are a few takeaways from the game.
Third-quarter comeback
The Thunder led 48-42 at halftime and were in reasonably good control of the game. Then the Warriors came out fired up and were plus-17 in the third quarter, finishing it on a 12-2 run with reserves Anderson Varejao, Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa on the floor. Varejao was plus-five in under two minutes of action.
Three straight with threes
The Warriors were historic from deep, connecting on 90 three-pointers in the series – an NBA record. The Splash Brothers set a new individual marks for three pointers in a playoff series as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had 32 and 30, respectively, in just seven games. The duo passed Ray Allen and Dennis Scott, who both once hit 28 in a series.
The Warriors owned the three-point line, going 31-of-64, meanwhile the Thunder shot just 6-of-36 from downtown.
Curry proves his worth
Curry had 36 points on the night and became the first player to score at lease 35 points with five rebounds, five assists and three three-pointers. His seven triples were the most in a Game 7 in NBA history. Curry put up 18 points in the second half alone, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for just 16 points in the second half.
After being criticized earlier in the series, Curry was the last man standing when it was all over. The Warriors are 13-0 in the last two post-seasons when Curry scores 36 or more.
Durant switching sides?
Durant has a 36 points per game average in his two career Game 7s. That’s the highest of any player to appear in multiple Game 7s. If this is the final appearance of KD for OKC he acquitted himself well.
There is a belief the Warriors are a potential destination for Durant if they can clear up enough cap space. It will be interesting to see if it gets traction socially.
Warriors winning ways
The Warriors win in unconventional ways. This is the second straight series they won despite spending more minutes behind than ahead.
The Thunder’s loss snaps a streak of 42 consecutive 3-1 leads converted into victories in the conference finals or later. Their 12 third-quarter points were the fewest allowed by Golden State in a playoff third quarter during the shot clock era.
On both ends the Warriors had less size and talent but they found a way to win because they had superior culture. The Warriors bench was engaged and encouraging throughout. The Thunder played hero ball and when the ball stopped moving they were busy pointing the finger at each other.
There was a stark contrast in the culture of the teams in tough times.
Next up
The Warriors move on to the Finals and face a Cavaliers team that they are plus-40 on with two wins in their two meetings this year. Last year the Warriors beat the Cavs in the final despite being down 2-1.
Key stat: Golden State becomes the 10th team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in NBA playoff history, and just the third team to win the conference finals after being down by so much. They are the first team to do it since the 1981 Boston Celtics.