Golden State Warriors are unstoppable when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson score three-pointers for fun. The duo scored 17 three-pointers in Game 6 of the conference final, against Oklahoma City Thunder, to take the best-of-seven series to a decider at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Monday.
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The Warriors looked below par midway in the series, but have got their mojo back, winning back-to-back matches against Thunder, who will need to play their best game of the series to reach the final and set up a date against Cleveland Cavaliers. After taking a 3-1 lead, Thunder were very close to the final, but Curry and Thompson have been a major obstacle.
The Warriors have shown great fighting spirit in the series, and their coach Steve Kerr believes the comeback from 1-3 down has been great.
''I've learned that our players are tough, they're mentally tough. I don't know if I really learned that. I already knew that. But they've firmly confirmed that. It's been a great comeback. Now we still have to play. We still have another game," AP quoted Kerr as saying.
Despite the momentum being on their side, Kerr does not want his players to take it easy against the Thunder, who have some incredible players, including Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder will also be disappointed to have been outplayed when their tails were up, but they will give whatever they have got to defeat Warriors, and reach the final.
''We got a big one last night to stay alive, and now we've got some momentum. But it can work in reverse. One game changes everything, and we've got to come out and play our game and play well to finish the series out," Kerr said.
Though Durant and Westbrok played some good basketball, scoring 29 and 28 points, respectively, in Game 6, they need support from the rest of their players as well including Serge Ibaka. Thunder must be astonished that the series has come down to Game 7, as they were leading by seven points with six minutes left, but the two Warriors' guards showed their skills, and the rest is history.
Thunder's coach Billy Donovan still hopes his team can bounce back and defeat the Warriors.
''We lost Game 6, and it was a tough, hard-fought game. We're disappointed about not having a different outcome. But we haven't lost the series, and we have an opportunity again. I think just being around these guys, they're a resilient group," Donovan said.
If Thunder are to emerge victorious against the confident Warriors, they need to tick some boxes. Thunder need a way to stop Curry and Thompson from scoring, Durant and Westbrook needs to shine, and they also have to get their basics right.
Where to watch live
Golden State Warriors vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA playoff conference final Game 7 is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (6:30 a.m. IST, 2 a.m. BST) start. Indian viewers can watch it live on Sony Six/HD, with live streaming on Sonyliv.
Viewers in the US can watch the Golden State Warriors vsOklahoma City Thunder NBA playoff conference final Game 7 live on TNT, with live streaming on TNT Overtime.
BT Sport will provide live coverage of the NBA playoffs game in the UK, while the game can also be live streamed on Watch BT Sport.
NBA fans can also watch the Golden State Warriors vsOklahoma City Thunder NBA playoff conference final Game 7 live on NBA.com.
