Warriors Dominate Defensively, Tie Series at 2 With Crucial Win

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) attempts a shot over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in the first quarter in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

As the Golden State Warriors fell into an early hole, San Antonio Spurs fans started to feel excited about their team taking a 3-1 series lead.

But once overtime got underway, it became obvious that the Warriors were going to leave Oracle Arena happy.

Harrison Barnes scored a career-high 26 points, Klay Thompson hit a clutch, game-tying shot in regulation, and the Warriors rallied to beat the Spurs 97-87 in overtime. The score was 84-82 after a critical jumper by Tony Parker gave the Spurs a two-point lead, but Thompson tied the game with a huge layup.

Kawhi Leonard, a good defender, was guarding Thompson, but Thompson dribbled in from the left corner, went around to the right side and extended his arm, letting the ball go. The ball kissed the glass and dropped in, tying the game. After a San Antonio turnover and a Jarrett Jack miss, the game went into overtime, where the Warriors dominated.

Jack opened off the extra period with a jumper, and Barnes followed with two free throws and a jumper. A three-point play by Stephen Curry gave the Warriors a nine-point lead, and a Carl Landry jumper with one minute left iced the game. The Warriors got a bit lucky on some possessions, but they dominated the extra session. The Spurs went 1-for-6 on threes in overtime and 1-for-10 overall, and Danny Green missed two free throws in the extra session.

While the Warriors turned the ball over 18 times, they dished out 19 assists and snagged a mind-blowing 65 rebounds. The Warriors didn’t shoot too well, but amazingly, they dominated on defense. San Antonio averaged less than 1.7 points per minute and shot just 35.5 percent, which cost them.

Barnes, Curry and Jack combined for 72 points, which was key for the Warriors. While Barnes took 26 shots, something most people never would have expected when he was drafted last June, he made some key shots and helped the Warriors pull away in overtime. Even Jack, who took a terrible shot at the end of regulation, stepped up, and Curry did very well considering that he was playing on a bad ankle.

Now, the series is tied up. If the Warriors can keep up their defensive dominance, they can steal Game 5 in San Antonio, which would lead to a chance to clinch a berth in the Western Conference Finals in Game 6. By winning today, the Warriors flipped the momentum switch and, more importantly, made sure that they would get to play one more game at home.