With a 2-1 series lead, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors were on the receiving end of a mugging at Chesapeake Arena on Saturday night, getting blown out by the Thunder, 133-105. League MVP Stephen Curry put up 24 points, hauled in 5 rebounds and had 3 assists, shooting 7 of 17 from the paint and 3 of 11 from deep in the loss. Klay Thompson contributed 18 points and forced 3 turnovers, going 8 of 19 from field goal range and draining a pair of triples, while Andre Iguodala emerged off the bench for 9 points and 4 boards. Draymond Green and Golden State fans were breathing a collective sigh of relief on Monday after the league announced that he wouldn’t face a suspension after (inadvertently) kicking the Thunder’s Steven Adams in the groin during Game 3. The last time the Warriors were down 2-1 in the Playoffs was against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Conference Semifinals in 2015, a series they ultimately won.
Oklahoma City seemed to become rejuvenated following the Green/Adams incident in the second quarter of Game 3, and are rolling with confidence heading into Tuesday’s contest. Kevin Durant led the team in scoring, finishing the night with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, going 10 of 15 from the field and a perfect 12 of 12 from the free throw line. Russell Westbrook logged another double-double with 30 points and 12 boards, shooting 10 of 19 from the paint and 9 of 11 from the charity stripe in the process. Westbrook leads the NBA in double-doubles in the postseason, recording 12 through 14 games played. Enes Kanter followed suit from the bench with 10 points and 12 rebounds as the Thunder found their defensive rhythm again, regaining their rebounding prowess that lifted them to the top of the league off the glass during the regular season, outrebounding their opponents 52-38.
