Can the Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat the Golden State Warriors?
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered their Western Conference semi-finals series against San Antonio Spurs as the underdogs. However, after stealing Game 5 in the Spurs' home floor, the tide turned in their favor, eventually closing the series out in Game 6, 113-99.
Now with the Spurs out, Billy Donovan and the Thunder are so close to reaching the NBA Final; they only have one hurdle left, the Golden State Warriors. After a magical season that led them to setting a new record for most wins in the regular season, Steve Kerr and his Warriors are a team that no one seems to have figured out. They blitz through competition and won so many games in dominating fashion. Although the Thunder will be entering this conference championship with all the momentum, the Warriors have this guy named Stephen Curry.
So the biggest question left unanswered is whether or not Oklahoma City can win this series. To answer that, there's a need to look at the many factors involved.
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Oklahoma City got that much needed scoring help in Game 6 from Andre Roberson, who scored 14 points while shooting 3 out of 5, according to The Washington Post. The usual suspects had their typical games in the rout, with Kevin Durant scoring 37 and fellow star Russell Westbrook contributing 28.
If the Thunder hopes to have a fighting chance against a super team like Golden State, they need to get consistent and solid contributions from the bench, including Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, and another double-digit scoring from Roberson.
Clog the Paint
Warriors forward Draymond Green has been wreaking havoc in the paint in the playoffs, but the Thunder has the manpower to stop him. Both Kanter and Adams have the legs to keep up with him and they can protect the rim along with another athletic big man in Serge Ibaka. Golden State is a small-ball and dribble-drive team, which means that rely a lot on the guards and wing dribbling the ball all the time, finding opportunities both inside and out. But if the paint is protected, it should be a little more difficult for Curry, Green, and Thompson to drive, penetrate, or kick out.
Adams Must Dominate
No one thought Adams would be instrumental in the San Antonio series considering he was matched up against Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge. But give credit to the guy for making a stand. But in the Warriors matchup, he needs to do more than just become a positive presence. To give his team a chance, USA Today believes he needs to dominate; and dominate in this sense means doing three important things: dominate the glass, protect the rim, and take advantage of his smaller opponents.
It's fair to say that no team has really figured out how to dominate or win a series against the Warriors. But it's another thing if the Thunder can at least show in Game 1 that they can keep up, something the Portland Trail Blazers managed to do, at least for the first three quarters in every game of their series.
