Well, I should have kept listening to NBA Radio last night, because I would have enjoyed hearing what Hubie Brown had to say in the second half. The Golden State Warriors, with a record of 73-9 on the year, were cruising at halftime of Game One in the Western Conference Finals -- holding a 60-47 lead on Oklahoma City. But OKC, as is their wont, came roaring back in the second half -- outscoring the Warriors 61-42, and rolling to a 108-102 upset victory in Oakland. Russell Westbrook, who has been much-maligned on these pages, put up 27 points, 12 assists, 7 steals, and 6 rebounds. Kevin Durant, who has been much-praised on these pages, added 26 points and 10 rebounds. And once again, Coach Billy Donovan found a way to shut down a high-powered offense on that offense's home floor. If Golden State is going to win this series, the Warriors had better come up with a way to score more than 102 points.
The whole season -- and a fair amount of basketball history -- now hangs in the balance. OKC has taken home court advantage, and shown both the Warriors -- and themselves -- that they are not out of any game, even against the defending champs. The Warriors' response could end up playing a big role in determining how history rates Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and even LeBron James. This is about to get really good. Game Two tips off Wednesday night at 8 Central. After you get home from church, you should tune in.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Cleveland 0 - 0 Toronto
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Golden St. 0 - 1 Oklahoma City
Golden State played hurried, and it went really cold. And Westbrook was great, and Durant had a hair more phenomenal plays than he did clunkers. Plus, one of OKC's tall guys with a mustache (the one who's not Enes Kanter) his about a half-dozen free throws in a row, though he's typically only a 60-percent foul shooter. Also, in the last minute, with the Warriors having gotten back to within three, the officials decided to ignore Westbrook's travel and grant him his timeout call. That wrapped it up. I think Golden State is going to win in six games.
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