Thrashing Thunder: Oklahoma City destroy Golden State Warriors in game three of western conference finals

Thunder take a 2-1 series lead over the Warriors

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of game three. Photo: AP

Published: 10:51am, 23 May 2016Updated: 12:03pm, 23 May 2016

Kevin Durant scored 33 points and Russell Westbrook added 30 as the Oklahoma City Thunder routed defending NBA champion Golden State 133-105 on Sunday to seize the lead in their play-off series.

They didn’t have the best record in the NBA for nothing. We’ve got to come back with the same mindset and play with the same intensity

Russell Westbrook

The Thunder grabbed a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven western conference finals and seized momentum with a lopsided blowout, making Tuesday’s fourth game at Oklahoma City crucial for the reigning champs.

Golden State, who set an NBA record with 73 regular-season wins, have not lost two games in a row all season.

“We have got to keep the same intensity, same attack mode,” Westbrook said. “They didn’t have the best record in the NBA for nothing. We’ve got to come back with the same mindset and play with the same intensity.”

Either the Warriors or Thunder will face the eastern conference winners, the Toronto Raptors or Cleveland Cavaliers, in next month’s NBA Finals.

A dejected Stephen Curry looks on as his side are crushed by the Thunder in game three. Photo: AFP

In addition to sparking the highest-scoring performance by any team in any NBA play-off game this year, Westbrook and Durant each added eight rebounds and blocked two shots while Westbrook also contributed 12 assists.