Houston

Warriors Face Final Phase of Improbable Comeback

Having won Games 5 and 6 – Phases I and II – to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to Oklahoma City, the Warriors on Monday night seek to finish the job in Game 7 at Oracle Arena.

OAKLAND – The third and final phase of the attempted comeback, of the Warriors’ defiant march back to the NBA Finals, has arrived.

Having won Games 5 and 6 – Phases I and II – to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to Oklahoma City, the Warriors on Monday night seek to finish the job in Game 7 at Oracle Arena.

Gone are the questions about the health of Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Gone are the advantages OKC coach Billy Donovan found earlier, as Warriors coach Steve Kerr has recovered nicely as his team tied the series at 3-3.

The Warriors are trying to become the 10th team (out of 233) to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win an NBA playoff series, first to do so since the Celtics in 1981 – and the first ever to accomplish the feat in the Western Conference Finals.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 7.5

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Stephen Curry vs. Russell Westbrook: Curry has gotten the better of Westbrook in the last two games and besting him three times in a row almost certainly will send the Thunder on vacation. Some of Westbrook’s old erratic tendencies have resurfaced of late, and he’ll have to find a new level of fortitude to avoid that in Game 7.

Andre Iguodala/Draymond Green et al vs. Kevin Durant: Iguodala harassing Durant and disrupting the OKC offense. Durant’s numbers are coming, but at a high cost; he’s shooting 41 percent overall, 25.7 percent from deep. Green has rebounded from earlier disastrous performances to make Durant work on the defensive end.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) is listed as out.

Thunder: No injuries listed.

OFFICIALS

Danny Crawford (lead), Mike Callahan, Jason Phillips.

ROAD TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS

Warriors: Defeated Houston 4-1 in the first round; defeated Portland 4-1 in conference semifinal.

Thunder: Defeated Dallas 4-1 in the first round; defeated San Antonio 4-2 in conference semifinal.

SERIES HISTORY

This is the first postseason meeting between the teams. The Warriors swept three meetings in the regular season and have won nine of 13 over the past two seasons.

QUOTABLE

“The only thing we’re guaranteed was one more game and on our home floor. So let’s take advantage of that by being extra prepared and ready. There’s no chance of anybody letting their guard down. We’re playing a great team. We know that. We’ve got our hands full with them. They’ve got their hands full with us.” – Steve Kerr, indicating overconfidence playing at Oracle won’t be an issue

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