Game 1 was everything we could have asked for and more in the Western Conference Finals as the stars came out to shine and the Oklahoma City Thunder came back from a 13-point halftime deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors and steal home court.
As always there was a little controversy (the Westbrook travel) but all in all the Thunder outplayed and out hustled the defending champs in the second half and delivered the first blow in what is anticipated to be a slug fest of a series.
Here are a few interesting stats about the Thunder’s upset victory:
Thunder were 0-12 in Game 1s on the road entering tonight.
Their last Game 1 road win was in 1992 vs Golden State. pic.twitter.com/SuimfIOII3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 17, 2016
The Thunder (and formerly Sonics) organization picked a great time to win their first road game 1 in a playoff series in 24 years.
OKC has won 3 straight road games at GSW/Spurs.
The rest of league has 3 COMBINED wins at GSW/Spurs this season. pic.twitter.com/sQFLyO9N3X
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 17, 2016
This is a pretty incredible stat when you consider the rest of the NBA was 3-79 on the road against the Warriors and Spurs this season and 7-105 since March of 2015 including the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
Warriors led by 13 at the half and lost. They were 37-0 this season (including postseason) when leading by double-digits at halftime.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2016
The Warriors are an almost impossible team to come back against with their protection of the ball and ability to score at will.
This is the first time ever Klay Thompson and Draymond Green both scored at least 20 Pts and the Warriors lost. pic.twitter.com/DXHepvUn1R
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 17, 2016
Another crazy stat that shows just how rare it is to beat the Warriors when all three of their stars are healthy and come to play. The Thunder may be the only team in the NBA with the firepower to match the Warriors star wattage.
Thunder: 2-0 all-time in postseason games that Durant and Westbrook BOTH shoot 33.3% or worse.
1-12 in regular-season games
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2016
As great as Durant and Westbrook played spreading the ball around and hitting big buckets when their team needed it, neither particularly shot well which is a scary thought for the Warriors.
You know the defending champs will come out guns blazing in Game 2 as they try to even the series up before it heads to Oklahoma City.
