An NBA playoffs record 11 three-pointers from Klay Thompson have helped the Golden State Warriors push the Western Conference Finals series to a game 7 decider.
The Warriors' epic 108-101 victory against the Oklahoma Thunder on Saturday night in front of a parochial Thunder crowd squared the series 3-3 with the decider to be held in front of an equally wild Warriors' home crowd in Oakland on Monday.
The Warriors trailed for most of the game as they struggled to deal with the Thunder's length, athleticism and tenacity.
It was Thompson who kept them within striking distance, throwing up off-balance, quick release bombs with defenders in his face as he scored 41 points, making 11 of 18 shots from three-point range.
"Klay's shooting was some of the most incredible shooting you will ever see," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose team has rallied from 3-1 down.
Thompson's backcourt partner and NBA MVP Stephen Curry had 29 points, including six of 13 three-pointers, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
"We never gave up," Thompson said.
"Our resiliency paid off in the end."
Curry started cold, going scoreless until midway through the second quarter.
But, with four minutes to go and the Warriors trailing 93-97, Curry struck with two straight three-pointers to even the score and bench player Andre Iguodala came up with big offensive and defensive plays to keep the Warriors alive.
"I thought Andre Iguodala was the unsung hero for his defence," Kerr said.
The Warriors' Australian centre Andrew Bogut had a rocky night as he jousted with the Thunder's Kiwi big man Steven Adams.
Bogut had five points, five rebounds and four assists, while Adams got the better of him with nine points, nine rebounds and a monster right handed dunk at the end of the second quarter over Draymond Green.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook was a handful for the Warriors with 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds while the team's other All-Star Kevin Durant had 29 points and seven rebounds.
The Thunder, however, failed to score in the final two minutes while the Warriors closed out the game with nine points.
The winner of game seven will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the best-of-seven championship series, with game one on Thursday.
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