Thunder, liyamado sa Warriors sa ‘Loud City’.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Pamilyar sa Oklahoma City Thunder ang kinalalagyang sitwasyon sa kasalukuyan.
Sa Game One ng Western Conference semi-finals, ginulantang ang Thunder ng San Antonio Spurs para sa 32 puntos na kabiguan. Ngunit, nakabawi ang Thunder sa Game Two, 98-97, tungo sa dominanteng 4-2 series.
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Naagaw ng Thunder ang bentahe sa home court sa Western Conference Finals nang gapiin ang Golden State sa Game One, 108-102, ngunit, nakabangon ang Warriors sa Game Two, 118-91.
Sa paglarga ng Game Three sa sariling tahanan – ang Chesapeake Energy Arena, mas kilala bilang ‘Loud City’ – sa Linggo (Lunes sa Manila) tatangkain ng Thunder na maagaw ang momentum.
“Yeah, it helps a little bit with our confidence just knowing that we’ve been in this position before,” pahayag ni Thunder forward Kevin Durant.
“It’s not foreign land to us. But last series — we can’t really worry about that too much. We’ve got to focus on who we’ve got in front of us right now. We know it’s easier said than done. Just because we did it last time, doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to happen again,” aniya.
Maganda ang katayuan ng Thunder para makabalik sa NBA Finals mula noong 2012.
“We know they’re going to come here and try to steal one,” sambit ni Thunder guard Dion Waiters.
“As long as we take care of home court advantage and do what we’re supposed to do and leave everything out there, then we’ll be fine.”
Hindi lingid ito sa Warriors. Kakailanganin nilang lumaro nang palaban para makapanalo sa arena kung saan tangan ng Thunder ang impresibong 36-11 marka ngayong season.
“It’s definitely one of the loudest venues in the league,” pahayag ni Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
“Fans have a lot to cheer about the last six, seven years. It’s a great venue. It will be a lot of fun to be there facing a great team on their home floor. That’s the best challenge there is. I think our guys are up for the challenge,” aniya.
Sa tanging paghaharap sa Oklahoma City sa regular season, naisalpak ni Stephen Curry ang buzzer-beating three-pointer sa layong 37 talampakan para sa 121-118 panalo sa overtime.
“Regular-season wise that was a big win for us and a big shot. But it doesn’t mean anything going back there for the playoffs,” pahayag ni Curry.
Sasandal naman ang Warriors sa naitalang 34-7 rod game sa regular –season.
