The Warriors led for most of the game, including by 58-50 at halftime, but the gap was never more than 10 in the first three quarters as the Thunder fought back every time they looked beaten.
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“It’s a awful feeling once again not stepping up and being ourselves and playing our game”, Curry told reporters.
“I thought we played very well”, said Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan. We know we’re going home.
The Warriors will have to get their shooting back on track if they want to stay alive in the series. It’s tough to see them winning twice in Golden State in such a short period of time, plus Golden State should be fired up to play at home because it seriously could be the final time they take the floor there this season. Warriors coach Steve Kerr made a personal plea on Facebook for those going to Oracle Arena on Thursday to show up as early as possible for the game that started 90 minutes earlier than the traditional tip-off. “We’ve put in too much work to go out like this”. It appears that the Golden State stars are struggling and the Oklahoma City stars are not.
Two straight thrashings by the Thunder have cast huge doubts on the defending champions, but Stephen Curry has insisted that the series is not over. When the Thunder have won, they have won big and Game 4 was no different.
Kevin Durant scored 40 points and Russell Westbrook added 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for the Thunder. Westbrook recorded a triple-double, scoring 36 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and had 11 assists. “We’ve got to move on to the next game”.
Of course, with the Warriors’ offensive weapons, they certainly have the tools to win even when their defense isn’t ideal, especially with Steph Curry looking a lot more healthy in Game 5.
The Warriors need a win at Oklahoma tonight at 2:00 GMT or face elimination from the playoffs.
The Thunder know they have to close.
PUSH. Andre Iguodala has scored 8.5 points per game over the last two games and he is averaging 9.25 points per game in this series.
Curry’s third 3-pointer pushed the lead to 79-72, but Durant responded with a shot from long distance of his own. We have to go out, play the game, and play with passion and energy.
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Marreese Speights had a pair of three-point plays on follow shots and a 3 in the second quarter to give Golden State a nice lift off the bench.
