Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder would be the worst first-round matchup for the Golden State Warriors. While many would still easily pick the Warriors in a seven-game series, the Thunder have proven capable of being one of the league’s best team in spurts.
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Paul George, the team’s X-factor, has been amazing for stretches this season. However, at the same time, he’s struggled lately, and his struggles have caused the Thunder to record just four wins in their last ten games.
But, George HAS been at that elite level. Russell Westbrook has been an effective and dominant force. Steven Adams is a monster on the glass and would defense Cousins well. Their role players have proven to knock down shots throughout certain stretches.
The point is that the Thunder are one of the league’s top-five teams if they can put it all together at the right time. They have a top defense led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate George and the sixth-highest scoring offense in the NBA.
Combine those and the two superstar-caliber athletes leading the way, and they’d be a tough first-round matchup. The Warriors are 2-1 against the Thunder this season.