The Warriors survived a late scare Monday evening to put up a 128-120 victory over the Thunder at Paycom Heart in downtown Oklahoma Metropolis.
Holding a snug double-digit lead by means of the primary half and a lot of the third quarter, the Warriors needed to dig in after the Thunder pulled inside two within the fourth quarter.
Stephen Curry led the way in which, pouring in a game-high 38 factors. Klay Thompson put in 28 factors, whereas Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole every added 15.
The Warriors shot 51.1 p.c from the sector, together with 42.6 p.c past the arc.
Listed below are three observations from Golden State’s third consecutive win and the primary sport of a three-game street journey within the Western Convention:
Steph occurs
Curry has loved just a few signature video games in Oklahoma Metropolis – maybe most notably his “double-bang” game-winning 35-footer in February 2016 – and he was incredible on this evening.
It wasn’t simply the 38 factors, on 12-of-20 capturing, together with 8 of 14 from deep. There have been the 12 assists, the eight rebounds, the blocked shot, and the plus-17 over 37 minutes. His 3-pointer with 2:35 remaining compelled an OKC timeout and re-ignited the stagnating Golden State offense.
Past these mundane particulars, although, Curry was an image of management and composure. When he was on the ground, the Warriors tended to personal the constructing.
Curry was significantly vital within the fourth quarter, successfully placing the Thunder to sleep on an evening when he handed Wilt Chamberlain to grow to be the all-time franchise chief in made subject objectives.
Non-Steph minutes have been, um, problematic
The Warriors took a 94-85 lead into the fourth quarter, which coach Steve Kerr opened by giving Curry his traditional relaxation. However as an alternative of the everyday six minutes he solely obtained a four-minute break.
That’s as a result of the Thunder opened the fourth with a 13-6 run, closing the hole to 100-98 with 8:22 remaining.
That compelled an early return for Curry. With an upcoming back-to-back street set towards the new Timberwolves (11-4 over their final 15 video games) and the conference-leading Nuggets, Kerr positioned a excessive precedence on this sport.
Kerr throughout his pregame information convention spoke of how nicely the bench is taking part in. He was proper. The reserves have gotten higher. The early fourth quarter was an undesirable throwback to a few of their work early this season.
Again to Warriors basketball of yore
Since failing to file at the very least their commonplace 30 assists in 4 consecutive video games this month, the Warriors are refamiliarizing themselves with the idea of efficient passing.
They wasted no time towards the Thunder, ringing up 15 assists within the first quarter – a season-high for any quarter – to take a 38-20 lead into the second quarter. Golden State completed with 37 assists.
This follows a 40-assist sport in a win over the Raptors final Friday and piling up 33 assists in victory over the Grizzlies final Wednesday. The common over the past three video games: 36.7 helpers per.
RELATED: Recreation vs. Thunder starting of vital stretch for Warriors
Golden State averaged 27.3 assists within the aforementioned four-game stretch throughout which they went 2-2. They’re 3-0 in over the past three video games.
Furthermore, this offense appears to be like much more like that which the Warriors typically performed throughout their 5 consecutive runs to the NBA Finals.
Obtain and comply with the Dubs Speak Podcast