The Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder meet up in one of the most highly-anticipated Western Conference Finals in recent memory. Even though the Warriors won all three games of the regular season series, the Thunder held a fourth-quarter led in every single game. Both teams are also peaking at the right time, making this a true heavyweight clash. Here's a full breakdown of what to expect in the series:
Series Schedule
Game 1
When: Monday, May 16
Where: Oakland, CA
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 2
When: Wednesday, May 18
Where: Oakland, CA
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 3
When: Sunday, May 22
Where: Oklahoma City, OK
Tip: 8:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 4
When: Tuesday, May 24
Where: Oklahoma City, OK
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 5 (if necessary)
When: Thursday, May 26
Where: Oakland, CA
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 6 (if necessary)
When: Saturday, May 28
Where: Oklahoma City, OK
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Game 7 (if necessary)
When: Monday, May 30
Where: Oakland, CA
Tip: 9:00 pm ET
TV: TNT
Matchup Breakdown
Starting lineups
Stephen Curry vs. Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant vs. Draymond Green What more could you ask for?
This matchup is full of star power, and pits two groups that have played together for years. This series will likely come down to two factors that the starting lineups will decide. First off, can Oklahoma City limit Curry? It's a tall task that no one in the league has been able to accomplish, but considering that Curry was almost solely responsible for beating the Thunder in all three regular season games, it's a must for the Thunder. Look for them to throw multiple defenders at him to try to make him uncomfortable.
Secondly, can Durant and Westbrook bring it every game? The duo is responsible for a large portion of Oklahoma City's offense, especially in the fourth quarter, but they're prone to playing very inefficiently. Westbrook has shot below 37 percent five times in the postseason, and not surprisingly, OKC is just 2-3 in those games. Having him match good shot selection with his aggression would make him unstoppable in this series - and the wins would follow.
Advantage: Even
Bench
The X-factor in the series will be what the bench units can provide. Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Festus Ezeli are all consistent and battle-tested, so the Warriors know what they're going to get from them. It's a much different story for the Thunder.
Dion Waiters and Enes Kanter have as much talent as any bench duo in the NBA, but they are wildly inconsistent. Kanter has two games this postseason where he scored over 20 points, yet also has three games where he scored just six points or less. Waiters is just the same, recording two games with at least 17 points and four games with six points or less. Those two could decide the series - one way or the other.
Advantage: Warriors
Coaching
Billy Donovan has been very good in his first postseason as a NBA head coach, but Steve Kerr is the coach of the year for good reason. This one is pretty obvious.
Advantage: Warriors
Prediction
Oklahoma City is peaking at the right time after upsetting the Spurs in the second round, giving some reason to think that they'll play the Warriors tougher than anyone else has all season. Both teams are extremely dominant at home, and I don't think a road team will win a game. That means Warriors in 7.
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