Basketball: OKC win away from finals

After Steven Adams copped a physical hammering in game three, the only blow yesterday was delivered to Golden State's title hopes.

Adams and the Oklahoma City Thunder went 3-1 up over the heavily-favoured Warriors in the Western Conference finals, seizing a 118-94 victory to move to within one win of playing for the NBA title.

Eliminating Golden State would be a huge shock, given the Warriors completed a record-setting 73-9 regular season, but it would be no less than the Thunder deserves.

Having blown out the Warriors at home in Monday's game three - embarking on an unstoppable scoring run that was sparked when Adams took a kick to the groin from Golden State forward Draymond Green - the Thunder repeated the feat in game four.

The Warriors had completed their regular season without once suffering back-to-back defeats but that remarkable run rarely looked like continuing as the Thunder led throughout, giving it a chance to close out the series back in Oakland tomorrow.

Point guard Russell Westbrook led the way for the home side, recording a triple-double of 36 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds and completely outplaying counterpart Stephen Curry.

The two-time MVP was hassled and harangued throughout the game and forced to settle for 19 points while shooting two-of-10 from beyond the arc and turning over the ball six times.

Kevin Durant had 26 points for the Thunder while Adams added 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals. The Kiwi had a massive hand in helping his side win the rebounding battle, pulling down four offensive boards, and played shut-down defence throughout, exemplified by blocking a Curry triple for the second straight game.

And Adams, hardly renowned for his passing, also recorded a couple of impressive assists in the second quarter, including one toss to Andre Roberson that illustrated the big man's vision.

His performance came after the home crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena rallied around Adams following his eventful outing in game three. With Green avoiding suspension after kicking Adams in the groin, the fans booed the Warriors man heavily pre-game and threw their support behind their favourite Kiwi.

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