Stephen Curry hit a three with 3:32 left in the third quarter of Game 1 to give the Golden State Warriors an 81-69 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it seemed like the Warriors were just getting started.
Thunder vs. Warriors 2016 final score: Russell Westbrook takes control of the Western Conference Finals
The Thunder shocked the Warriors in Game 1 by doing what they do best: They let their stars take over.
Russell Westbrook had other ideas. He took over offensively and the Thunder took control of the tempo, slowing the game down by playing methodical isolation ball, as they outscored the Warriors 39-21 over the final 15:30 to shock Golden State in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, 108-102.
Westbrook had 27 points (24 of which came in the second half), 12 assists, seven steals and six rebounds, and Kevin Durant added 26 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder came back from a 14-point deficit in the third to steal Game 1 on the road.
The Thunder came back by moving to what they know best: they let Westbrook and Durant control the game with isolation basketball and they buckled down defensively. It's the same style the Cleveland Cavaliers played in last year's NBA Finals against the Warriors -- and it worked in Game 1.
Stephen Curry had 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, but he also had seven turnovers. After jumping out to a 60-47 halftime lead and taking that 12-point lead with 3:32 left in the third, the Warriors couldn’t keep their foot on the pedal. They may have rushed some of their shots down the stretch, but a lot of that should be credited to the Thunder getting a hand up and the Warriors playing from behind.
The Thunder took control of the game when they took control of the tempo. It’s a simple strategy, but the Thunder are at their best when their best players have the ball and aren’t playing carelessly. After coughing the ball up 10 times in the first half, the Thunder turned the ball over only once in the second. Westbrook and Durant took over by playing deliberately. Most of their buckets down the stretch came with fewer than 10 seconds left on the shot clock. And because Westbrook and Durant are such creators, they were solid looks:
Russ in attack mode! https://t.co/MObjKAsIOW
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 17, 2016
Just because they're playing methodically on the offensive end doesn't mean Westbrook wasn't in attack-mode. He is at his best when he's full-throttle on both ends -- which was on full display when he out-hustled Draymond Green in the third.
#ThunderHustle https://t.co/ID7CO8UQAz
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 17, 2016
Westbrook gives the Thunder the speed to match up with the frantic offense of the Warriors, but he also gives them the strength and ability to slow the Warriors down.
The Thunder were able to control the tempo for the most part against the Spurs in the final five games of that series, and they were able to for a half against the Warriors. The Warriors are more potent than the Spurs, though. Will the Thunder be able to manage the Warriors again? If Westbrook keeps up his play, then yes.
But we’ll find out in Game 2 on Wednesday.
2 other things
This series is far from over
The Thunder completely shut down the Warriors in the second half, but don’t forget that the Warriors did build up a 14-point lead. Just as the Thunder made adjustments and took control of the tempo of the game, the Warriors are going to find holes in the Thunder and do their best to attack. The Thunder know they must continue to control the tempo and continue to let Westbrook and Durant take over, but they can’t rely only on that. The Warriors are going to throw different defenses at the Thunder, but if the Thunder can continue to take care of the ball and guide the tempo, they’re going to cause problems for the Warriors.
The Thunder are road warriors
OKC has won 3-straight games on the road against two teams who lost 3 combined games in the entire regular season at home.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 17, 2016
If any stat makes you think the Thunder have what it takes to win it all, the one above has got to be up there. Everyone keeps counting the Thunder out of it, but they keep charging. After struggling to close out games in the regular season, the Thunder are a completely different team in the postseason. They’re going into hostile territories and silencing the crowds with their play. And the thing is, it’s feasible they could make it four road wins in a row.
Play of the night
Stephen Curry was still doing Stephen Curry things in Game 1.
2 fun things
Curry was flexing, even in the loss.
Scores
Thunder 108, Warriors 102 (Welcome to Loud City recap | Golden State of Mind recap)
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