No savior in sight for endangered Warriors
WHEN Russell Westbrook scored a long hard basket from deep left with 3:15 minutes left in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals yesterday, the home coliseum erupted, white-clad fans all stood up as one, celebrating like newly liberated captives.
Oklahoma soared up, 114-91, with that Westbrook connection, and not too many home fans would settle back until the Thunder had completed another devastating conquest of defending NBA champion Golden State.
The delirium was understandable. The great Westbrook goal promptly sealed a win by Oklahoma over Golden State which was dealt its first consecutive loss over 88 games.
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One more win for the 3-1 leading Thunder and they dethrone Golden State, while claiming the West Finals championship.
Westbrook (36 pts., 11 rebs., 11 assists), with his first triple-double in the playoffs, was however in no mood to celebrate.
“Every game is a new game. I just play each game like it’s my last,” he said.
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The Thunder go for the West Conference crown at the Oracle Arena in California on Friday, where Oklahoma stole the playoff opener last week.
“The good news is we go home and try to get one win,” coach Steve Kerr said.
Well said, but Kerr had also ensured composure and a good game before yesterday’s second straight Warriors devastation in the hands of the Thunder.
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Kerr bared there was nothing wrong with MVP Stephen Curry.
“Even the best of them have their nights off. Steph just had one lousy night,” Kerr clarified.
Going back, Kerr was a picture of total surrender during the most damning moments of Game 3, when he was caught staring blankly from the bench.
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Yesterday, he looked even worse. Kerr, hollow, fidgeted nervously as Okhaloma, which finished with a 56-40 rebounding edge, proceeded to dominate and scatter Golden State with a balanced game, anchored on unforgiving defense.
How the home advantage could help Golden State out of the deepest hole in team history should be determined in Game 5.
Kerr could also say they’ve never lost three straight games, thus far.
