The Oklahoma City Thunder and their top-ranked offense travel to Golden State to play the Warriors and their first-ranked defense in Game of the Western Conference Finals. Action gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Thursday, May 26 and will air on TNT, C+D and #0.
The Warriors got blown out by the Thunder 118-94 on Tuesday. Klay Thompson was the team’s high scorer, recording 26 points.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength, as the productive offense of Golden State (first in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 112.5) takes on the stingy defense of Oklahoma City (third in the league with a defensive efficiency of 103.4). Also, the Thunder’s second-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 110.4) will face off against the first-ranked defense of the Warriors (defensive efficiency of 101.5).
The Warriors enter the game with records of 82-14 Straight Up (SU) and 51-42-3 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Warriors come into the game with the top-ranked scoring offense in the league, averaging 114.4 points per game. The Warriors, sporting the second-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.94), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. As for the Golden State defense, teams really have to fight for open three-pointers against the Warriors, who have the best opponent three-point field goal percentage in the league at .336. Golden State is the league’s top scoring team off turnovers with an average of 17.4 points per game.
On the other side, the Thunder head into the game with records of 46-48-3 ATS and 66-31 SU. Oklahoma City has records of 66-31 SU and 46-48-3 ATS against the West. Offensively, they average 109.8 points per game, which is good for second in the league. Oklahoma City’s defense has allowed an average of 110.2 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 102.4.
The Thunder’s win over Golden State in their last clash wasn’t enough for them to overtake the Warriors in the most recent head-to-head series. Their record is now 4-6 SU over the last 10 meetings. Additionally, the Warriors lead the matchup ATS with a record of 5-4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – GS
Notes
Oklahoma City has allowed an average of 106.2 points per away game this season. Golden State averages 115.8 points per home game, placing the team at the top of the NBA in scoring.
In its last game, Oklahoma City won by a 24-point margin. Golden State is 26-5 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Oklahoma City has a 24-3 record in blowouts.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a formidable 35-6. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Golden State Warriors have a subpar record of 2-7.
Oklahoma City is 31-25 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Warriors have an outstanding 80-7 record when hitting triple digits.
The Warriors have the best defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 101.5. The Thunder’s offense ranks a solid second, with an offensive rating of 110.4.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the league with a FG% of 47.4%. The Golden State Warriors have a winning 10-5 record in games where opponents have a similar or higher FG%.
The Golden State Warriors average 31.0 three point attempts per game, and the Oklahoma City Thunder attempt 23.0 per game. When going for at least 25 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Golden State is 74-13 and Oklahoma City is 26-13.
With 6.0 blocks per game, the Golden State Warriors rank fifth in the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the top half of NBA teams for blocking, ranking sixth with 5.8 blocks per game.
Golden State is ranked 20th when it comes to offensive rebounding. Oklahoma City ranks second in defensive rebounds.
The Golden State Warriors rank ninth in steals, with an average of 8.4 per game. When the Oklahoma City Thunder allow at least 8 steals, they have a winning 42-22 record.
