OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone from fighting for survival to the brink of the NBA finals.
Less than a week after facing an 0-2 hole that only 14 NBA teams have overcome, the Thunder head into Game 6 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night needing only to protect their home court to advance and play for the title.
The Spurs were riding a 20-game winning streak when Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks made a series of defensive adjustments, including sticking Thabo Sefolosha on All-Star point guard Tony Parker. San Antonio still hasn't recovered and now must become the first road team to win at Chesapeake Energy Arena this postseason to keep playing.
Brooks said Tuesday that even the Thunder's perfect home record "doesn't guarantee us automatic victory."