Warriors Pull One Back To Deny Thunder

Steven Adams' maiden trip to the NBA Finals will have to wait another couple of days, at least.

The defending champion Golden State Warriors this afternoon refused to relinquish their crown just yet, pulling a game back in the Western Conference finals.

Golden State shook off consecutive thumpings by the Thunder to seize a 120-111 victory in Oakland, riding a wave of nervous energy from their fans to win a frantic and intensely-fought contest.

Oklahoma City lead the series 3-2 and will have a chance to clinch at home on Sunday (NZT), but the record-setting Warriors showed worrying signs of life after being thoroughly outplayed in games three and four.

Even with two-time MVP Steph Curry still struggling to find his shooting touch - finishing with 31 points but also seven crucial rebounds - the Warriors extended the series after receiving game-winning production from their impressive supporting cast.

Klay Thompson also shot poorly but finished with 27 points, the bench combined to add 30 and Draymond Green, Adams' aggravator-in-chief, looked back to hid old self while grabbing 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Green combined with Andre Bogut to help the Warriors hold their own on the boards as the Australian centre enjoyed his best game of the series to edge the transtasman duel against Adams. Bogut recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds in a series-high 30 minutes while the Kiwi had eight points, 10 rebounds and a block.

The Thunder were once more carried by Kevin Durant (40 points, seven rebounds and four assists) but Russell Westbrook struggled to exert his usual control, grabbing 31 points but also turning over the ball seven times.

Durant's influence at both ends of the court looked like it would set up a dramatic finale, giving the Thunder their first lead of the night midway through the third. But the Warriors' bench saw them shoot out to a 12-point lead early in the fourth and close out an anxious final quarter to keep their season alive.

Read the full report at NZ Herald