NBA Playoffs: Keys for Warriors, Thunder to win Game 7

May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 28: Stephen Curry /

After a record-setting regular season and pretty much a smooth ride through the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, the Warriors have been clawing back into this series and have managed to do the impossible: come back from 3-1 down to force a Game 7.

For Golden State to win and advance, one of the main keys has to be the continued improvement from Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Since falling one game away from elimination, the two best players on the team have awakened from their slow play early on and are now back to getting hot with their shots.

At the same time, the defense for the Warriors is key if they want to win. Russell Westbrook has been on fire for most of the series, and Golden State can’t afford to have him running wild in Game 7 if they want a shot to win. The Warriors need to tighten up their defense and avoid getting into a offensive battle, in spite of having the “Splash Brothers.”

Finally, the Warriors need to realize something: they are the defending champs and have forced a Game 7 on their own home court. All the pressure is now on the Thunder to avoid being mentioned with other teams that have choked their playoff series. Golden State needs to play the game that got them to this point and got them a record 73 wins during the regular season. If these three things can happen, Golden State can be the champions of the Western Conference.

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