Tuesday 17 May 2016 08:15, UK
Russell Westbrook inspired a second-half fightback as Oklahoma City Thunder came from behind to beat Golden State Warriors 108-102 in the opening game of the Western Conference finals on Monday.
Westbrook potted 27 points as Thunder overturned a 60-47 half-time deficit to snatch victory in a pulsating clash between two of the most potent attacking units in the NBA.
Westbrook also chipped in with 12 assists and six rebounds, while team-mate Kevin Durant finished with 26 points, with the visitors silencing Golden State's home crowd at the Oracle Arena.
Westbrook said: "It's a game of two halves, man. My job was to stay in attack mode and find a way of getting my team-mates going.
"We're a great team. We didn't play our best game but we came out with a win."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr added: "I thought when we lost our aggressiveness and our momentum offensively in the second half, a lot of that had to do with [Westbrook's] speed and aggressiveness."
Golden State looked to be sprinting away to a one-sided victory with Stephen Curry - who finished with 26 points - leading the charge.
But Thunder re-emerged after the half-time interval a different side, with Westbrook compiling 19 points in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to three points (88-85).
Oklahoma City opened a 101-93 lead before the reigning NBA champions Warriors clawed their way back to within one point at 101-100.
Just when it looked as if Golden State were poised to pull off another Houdini act, Thunder regrouped and edged clear once more.
Kerr bemoaned a loss of composure during the final quarter when the Warriors made only one of 10 attempted three-pointers.
Kerr pointed out: "There were a lot of quick shots, way too many quick shots, which took us out of our rhythm.
"Five minutes left in the game and we're down four points, and we were acting like we had 20 seconds left.
"Five minutes is an eternity. We know how we have to play. We have to pass and move and create rhythm for ourselves."
Meanwhile, Thunder's head coach Billy Donovan praised his side's problem-solving abilities: "I thought in the second half we did a much better job, took much better care of the basketball which enabled us to get back in transition and play better defence.
"It's one game and we'll have to take a look at the film and figure out how we can play better on Wednesday.
"We're not a perfect team but these guys really battle and fight and compete."
Game two in the best of seven series takes place in Oakland on Wednesday.
