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Golden State Warriors beat Oklahoma City Thunder to return to NBA finals

The Golden State Warriors came from behind to topple the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 in Monday’s Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, completing a rally from a 3-1 series deficit to seal a place in the NBA finals for the second year in a row.

Stephen Curry scored a game-high 36 points to spark the Warriors, who trailed by as many as 13 during the first half but used a 29-12 run in the third quarter to open an 11-point lead entering the fourth. His Golden State team-mate Klay Thompson added 21 points and six three-pointers to follow up his record-breaking performance in Game 6 on Saturday, when the Warriors needed a furious rally to force Monday’s winner-take-all finale.

Golden State becomes the 10th team in NBA history to rally from a three-games-to-one deficit in seven-game postseason series and win it.

— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2016
Steph & KD embrace after an incredible Western Conference Finals series! #ThisIsWhyWePlay https://t.co/v2fDeWY5cZ

“This may be the greatest team in the history of the NBA,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said afterward. “They do things like make big shots and do some of those things. We were right there every step of the way with them, and this was a record-setting team and world champions. We’ve got to give them credit.”

The series outcome evoked the glass-half-full expression: Were the Warriors are the only team good enough to pull off such a comeback – or were the Thunder the only team combustable enough to lose from such a winning position?

It might be that it was a little bit of both.

The history was not in the Thunder’s favor. Top-seeded teams were 28-3 in home Game 7s, according to ESPN. There have been 36 teams to lose Game 6 at home with a 3-2 series lead. Of those, less than half came back to win Game 7.

But more than that, Russell Westbrook was off his game, shooting for 7-for-21 from the floor on Monday night. Kevin Durant shot 10-for-19 for a total of 27 points, his lowest-scoring Game 7 performance ever.

“We laid it all out there,” a somber Durant said. “Everybody left their soul out on the court. We have no regrets.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said beforehand he was going to make “11 alterations to the game plan”, one of which was starting Andre Iguodala after a strong showing in Game 6 instead of Harrison Barnes. Iguodala added seven points and was aggressive on defense.

Saturday’s Game 6 appeared to be the beginning of the end for the Thunder’s charmed postseason as Oklahoma City blew yet another lead in the fourth quarter. The Thunder were notorious for squandering leads in the final minutes of regular-season games. At one point their number of fourth-quarter collapses were worse than the Philadelphia 76ers, one of the worst teams in the league this year.

Bay Area natives Andy Samberg and E-40 were seen in the Oracle Arena crowd, as was Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who arrived at half-time after campaigning in northern California.

Now the Cleveland Cavaliers will head to California for a much anticipated rematch of last year’s NBA finals, which the Warriors won in six games.

Game 1 is Thursday in Oakland.

Ben Simmons, Stephen Curry and 1 other Game Highlights from Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors – Game Highlights

Golden State Warriors vs Philadelphia 76ers Full Game Highlights

The 33-24 Golden St Warriors will travel on a back to back when they face a rested 20-8 New York Knicks in an NBA pro basketball game on Wednesday night. Tip off time from New York is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN.

The NBA odds from this contest have the home team New York Knicks favored by -6 ½ points with an over under line of 207 points. Early money from this game has come on over the total as the line opened with an over under of 206 ½ points.

The teams met back on December 28th with the Warriors posting the 92-78 home win as a +6 point underdog. The game landed under 207 ½ points.

Golden St has a road record of 15-17 on the current campaign. Their three game win streak was snapped in a 108-97 road loss to the Indiana Pacers as a +8 ½ point underdog. The game ended over 196 ½ points. The Warriors shot 43.4% from the floor and made 12 of 21 from three. They allowed Indiana 48.8% shooting and Golden St gave away the game with 20 turnovers. Stephen Curry had 38 points and four assists on 14 of 20 shooting in the loss. Golden St defensively has been very inconsistent this month. In their past seven road games they have allowed 108 or more points in five of those games. For the season Golden St is 25th in scoring defense by allowing 101.5 points a game.

The Knicks are 20-8 on their home court. New York breaks a four game losing streak following a 99-93 home win on Sunday to the Philadelphia 76ers as a -11 point betting favorite. The game ended over 189 ½ points. New York shot 42.7% from the floor and made 8 of 33 from three. They held the 76ers to 42.4% from the floor and the Knicks attempted 15 more free throws. Carmelo Anthony had 29 points along with 7 rebounds on 16 of 18 from the free throw line. For the Knicks to move deep in the playoffs they will need to play defensive liked they did in the first month of the season. They allow 45.8% shooting to opponents ranking 19th in the league.

The 23-37 Toronto Raptors will travel to face the 33-27 Golden St Warriors in an NBA pro basketball game on Monday night. Tip off time from Golden St is scheduled for 10:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by the NBA League Pass Channel.

The odds from this NBA pro basketball will come out on Monday afternoon as Rudy Gay is listed as questionable with a back ailment for Toronto. On the Warriors side Andrew Bogus is questionable with back spasms.

The teams went head to head back on January 28th with Golden St earning the 114-102 road win at Toronto as a -2 point betting favorite. The game finished over 200 ½ points.

Toronto is 8-21 straight up on the road this season. They lose their third straight following a 122-114 overtime defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night as a +6 ½ point underdog. The total came in at over 199 ½ points. The Raptors rallied from an eight point deficit after three quarters in the loss. They shot 46% from the floor and 8 of 22 from three. Toronto gave up 50% shooting to the Bucks and turned the ball over 17 times. Amir Johnson had 19 points and nine rebounds on 9 of 11 to lead the Raptors starters. Toronto has had difficulty shooting the basketball this season ranking in the lower third in the league in both field goal and three point shooting. The Raptors make 44.1% from the field and 34.9% from three. Look for those numbers to continue to trend downward with the high volume and 40% shooting carried by Rudy Gay when he gets back in the lineup.

Golden St is 18-7 playing on their home court. The Warriors limp home from an east coast road trip that saw the team going 1-4 and losing their past four games. In their four game in five nights in four cities the Warriors drop a 104-97 road defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers as a -2 point betting favorite. The game ended over 197 ½ points. The out of gas Warriors shoot just 41.9% from the floor along with 10 of 26 from the three point line. They give up 51.8% shooting to a depressed 76ers offense and Golden St was in the giving mood with 20 turnovers. Stephen Curry had 30 points and eight assists on 11 of 20 from the floor. If he Warriors are going to get past the first round of the playoffs they will have to defend better. Golden St gives up 101.5 points a game ranking 25th in the NBA.