The Warriors immediately ripped off a 13-2 run to start the third quarter, unleashing some swarming defense to fluster Sacramento. Thompson put up 15 points in the third with quick trigger shooting that nearly blew the roof off of Oracle. The Warriors role players played with spring and energy, but the Kings were not nonplussed, and met the intensity head on.
Both teams went back and forth, with the Warriors winning the quarter, 35-29.
The young Kings didn’t care, and methodically penetrated the Warriors defense with pace and unselfishness. As the Warriors legs seemed to get heavy from the back-to-back, they needed an MVP performance from Durant to rescue them.
Tied 113-113 at two minutes, the tension rose. Durant’s dominant 4th quarter compelled the Dubs to hunt him out in the post, but the Kings were trapping the red-hot KD as soon as he got the ball, neutralizing that action. The Warriors recalibrated, and put KD at the top of the court, and he promptly got to the free throw line to push the Warriors up, 115-113.
The Kings got fouled on the other end, and split the free throws. The Warriors then couldn’t strike gold on their next possession after an offensive rebound, as Thompson fired up a mega deep three-point attempt with 35 seconds left to secure a two-for-one opportunity, ensuring a final possession for the champs. Thompson missed, the Kings rebounded, and the Warriors accidentally fouled De’Aaron Fox, putting him on the line, where he made two free throws. Kings 116, Warriors 115.
