That was an unexpected turn of events. Golden State was a heavy favorite going into this series but now finds itself on the ropes after getting routed in both games in Oklahoma City. The Thunder won both games by a total of 52 points and now have the opportunity to shock the world and knock off the best team in the NBA in just five games.
NBA Playoff Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oklahoma City Thunder +7.5
Golden State Warriors -8 -7.5
Over/Under 221
SERIES RECAP
The Thunder came out of the gate strong with a big fourth quarter and a win in Game 1 despite being 7.5 point underdogs. Golden State bounced back in Game 2 and after demolishing Oklahoma City by 27 points, most thought that Game 1 was a fluke and the Warriors would go back to their winning ways.
Oklahoma City showed this was not to be though, dropping 70 on Golden State in the first halves of Games 3 and 4 to grab outright wins as home underdogs.
KEY MATCHUP
Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Golden State’s main fear coming into this series was getting destroyed by Oklahoma City’s size and that has come to pass, though not in the way expected. Many thought the Thunder would try to mask their problems at shooting guard by going with a bigger lineup and playing Dion Waiters and Andre Roberson sporadically, but Billy Donovan did the opposite these last two games.
The lineup of Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson, and Dion Waiters has killed the Warriors these last two games. These five all finished with a plus/minus above 30 in Game 3 and a plus/minus above 20 in Game 4.
Roberson especially has been a delight and is playing much taller than he is. He is able to expose the Warriors’ shaky perimeter defending and when he plays in the paint, he’s grabbing rebounds as well as anyone. Roberson led OKC in rebounds with 12 in Game 4 and the small ball game has helped the Thunder outrebound the Warriors by 30 over the last two games.
KEY STATS & TRENDS
How can Kevin Durant opt out of his contract after the run the Thunder have been on? After losing Game 1 to the Spurs by 32 points, Oklahoma City has gone on a tear and has now won seven of its last nine games against two of the best teams in NBA regular season history.
For his part, Durant has been splendid. Although his shooting has been streaky, he only hit a third of his shots in Games 1 and 4 and nailed over 60 percent in Games 2 and 3, his range and height are virtually unparalleled and he can create a shot better than almost anyone in the league. He’s playing great basketball and has the Thunder on the cusp of the Finals.
Russell Westbrook has been phenomenal as well. Critics complain that he forces too many shots, but he is an all-around force of nature and a threat to get a triple-double at any time. Westbrook notched his first triple-double in Game 4 and has recorded at least 11 rebounds in every game this series.
Pairing him with Durant makes the Thunder a title contender any year.
The tide has turned on Draymond Green. He is getting killed as the stretch five in Golden State’s small ball lineup and finished with a plus/minus of -30 on Tuesday night. Green is taking his frustrations out in the most amateur of ways, with cheap shots and tripping other players. After Green wasn’t suspended for Game 4 after hitting Steven Adams in the groin, the NBA might have to do something now that Green appears to have purposely tripped Enes Kanter last night.
It might not be a big loss for the Warriors with how Green has been playing. In the two games in Oklahoma City, he recorded almost as many turnovers, 10, as he did points, 12.
Steph Curry just hasn’t looked like the Curry we saw in the regular season outside of Game 2. Maybe his knee is still bothering him or perhaps Oklahoma City has just figured out how to stop him, but in a must-win Game 5 Curry needs to show the form that made him league MVP. He went 5-21 from beyond the arc in Oklahoma City and that just won’t cut it.
NBA Odds at BookMaker.eu
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors will tip at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Oracle Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
