(Getty)
The Golden State Warriors are still alive.
With their backs against the wall for the first time all season, the Dubs responded with a victory on Thursday night, knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 120-111, to force a Game 6 in the Western Conference finals.
Here’s an early look at everything you need to know about Oklahoma City’s next shot at advancing to the NBA finals:
Warriors vs. Thunder Game 6 Viewing Info
Date: Saturday, May 28, 2016
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
TV Channel: TNT
Live Stream: Sling TV or TNTDrama.com
Early Game 6 Preview
If the Warriors are going to again avoid elimination and force a Game 7, they’ll have to get it done in Oklahoma City, where they were thoroughly outplayed in Games 3 and 4.
Defense will be key for Golden State. In those two road games, which they lost by a combined 54 points, they had a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 116.3. Comparatively, they have a defensive rating of 99.7 in the other three games.
The big hope for GSW in OKC is that they found something on D by just staying solid and not trying the overhelp gimmicks.
Of course, with the Warriors’ offensive weapons, they certainly have the tools to win even when their defense isn’t perfect, especially with Steph Curry looking a lot more healthy in Game 5.
Nevertheless, the Thunder’s length and athleticism has given the Dubs some problems throughout the series, so Golden State will likely have to get it done defensively if it doesn’t want its historic season to end prematurely.