Leading by 25 after two quarters against one of the best offensive teams in NBA history, the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn't afford to have a mental lapse that would allow the Golden State Warriors back into the game.
NBA playoff scores 2016: The Thunder can run you out of the gym, too
Not only did the Thunder blow out the Warriors thanks to a relentless attack, Golden State might be without Draymond Green for Game 4.
That wasn’t a problem. They scored 45 points in the third quarter to put the Warriors away as they rolled to a 133-105 win in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead and control of the series.
Kevin Durant had 33 points and eight rebounds and Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds as the Thunder ran the Warriors rebounded from a 27-point loss in Game 2 with gusto. After winning Game 1 by slowing the pace in the second half and failing to hang with the Warriors run in Game 2, it seemed the Thunder would try to slow things down once again. Instead, they ran at the Warriors all night -- and their aggressiveness paid off. The Warriors couldn't match their hustle or athleticism.
They held Stephen Curry to 24 points on 7-of-17 shooting and Klay Thompson to 18 points all while attacking the Warriors defense at every moment. With Westbrook leading the way, the Warriors didn't have a chance. Instead of patiently waiting for an open look like they did in Game 1, the Thunder attacked the Warriors and Draymond Green -- who had a miserable night -- off of every screen.
There was no let up. After the Warriors tied the game at 40 with 8:37 left in the second quarter, the Thunder went on a 73-32 (!!) run to take a 41-point lead with 1:18 remaining in the third. They did it by dominating both sides of the ball. This Durant block -- he had three on the night -- led to an easy Westbrook bucket.
The Thunder were making plays like this all night.
The 45 third-quarter points should have the Warriors worried. They came into playoffs with the NBA's fourth-best defense, but the Thunder ran all over them. In the first two games, the Warriors were able to leave Andre Roberson, but the Thunder incorporated him into the offense rather than leaving him dormant in a corner for a three he probably wouldn't make. It opened up the offense for Durant and Westbrook -- and they combined for 63 points.
This series is far from over. We’ve seen both teams bounce back from bad losses. The Thunder’s athleticism and strength should scare the Warriors, though. It has the Thunder two games from the NBA Finals.
2 other things
Draymond Green might not be back for Game 4
Aside from a miserable performance, Green could very well be suspended for Game 4 of this series after kicking Steven Adams in the groin in the second quarter.
After Dahntay Jones was suspended for hitting Bismack Biyombo below the belt in the Cavaliers-Raptors series, there's definitely a chance Green is suspended. It'll be an interesting judgement call for the league, as they have to decide whether Green was acting for a foul call or if he meant to hit Adams -- it did happen in Game 2 and it appeared to be accidental.
If Green is suspended, the Warriors will be facing a 2-1 deficit in a much different way than they ever have before.
The Warriors are rattled
Even so, the Warriors couldn’t handle the athleticism of the Thunder in Game 3. The Thunder were the faster and hungrier team, and it showed from the onset. Green was a mess all night, going 1-of-9 from the field and Curry and Thompson looked rushed all evening. The Thunder’s athleticism has been a difference maker for them this series, as their length with Durant, Adams and Roberson is wreaking havoc on the Warriors. Aside from a dominant first half in Game 1 and second half in Game 3, the Thunder have hung with, or outplayed, the Warriors. The Warriors can certainly come back and win this series -- they did win 73 games in the regular season and haven’t lost two games in a row since last year’s NBA Finals -- but the Thunder are the stronger team through three games. That strength and athleticism has left the Warriors shaken.
Play of the night
Russ to KD never gets old.
2 fun things
Scores
Thunder 133, Warriors 105 (SB Nation recap | Welcome to Loud City recap | Golden State of Mind recap)
* * *
How to survive an encounter with Russell Westbrook
See More:
