Stephen Curry was at his menacing best against Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the conference final in Oakland on Monday, scoring 36 points, including seven three pointers. It is known that when Curry is in such a mood, the Warriors are unstoppable, and the Thunder found out the same. The defending champions defeated the visitors 96-88 in an entertaining game to reach the NBA Final, where they will take on Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Warriors showed great character as they came back from 1-3 down in the best-of-seven series, to clinch the contest. They won three games on a trot. Curry and Klay Thompson played an integral role in their wins. Thompson finished with 21 points in Game 7.
Curry, who has been suffering from injuries in the series, looked in different class in Game 7, making those impossible shots, providing perfect assists and taking wise decisions along the way to ensure another NBA final appearance.
Though Warriors might have defeated Thunder to reach NBA Final, the Thunder started brightly in the first two quarters, taking a lead of 48-42 at half time. However, the Warriors came all guns blazing in the third quarter, with both their offense and defense. They score 28 points compared to Thunder's 12, which gave them a lead. Despite a great showing by Thunder in the last quarter, it was too much for them as they lost 96-88.
Coach Steve Kerr has been praising Curry all-season round, and this time, it was no different, but conceded it was not an easy win.
"We survived by the skin of our teeth. We were able to pull it out, and we're moving on. This is who he is. Having a clutch performance in a Game 7, that's Steph Curry," NBA's official website quoted Kerr as saying.
The Thunder might have been outdone by Warriors and Curry, but they need to be applauded for their performance in the best-of-seven series. They looked superb in the early stages of the series, but failed to stop Curry and Thompson in the last few matches, which cost them a place in the NBA Final.
Despite the loss, Thunder's coach Billy Donovan had a word of praise for the winning team, stating them to be one of the greatest NBA teams.
"They won a world championship last year, and they've broken an NBA record, and people are already talking about it before the playoffs started, this may be the greatest team to ever lace them up in the history of the NBA," Donovan said.
