The Golden State Warriors staved off elimination with a 120-111 Game 5 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. After winning the previous two games, OKC coach Billy Donovan wasn't too happy with the result. His biggest concern, however, may have been the officiating.
After the game, Donovan told reporters:
Billy Donovan: "The difference in the game is they got to the free throw line 34 times"
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 27, 2016
In the Thunder's three victories in the series, they've had no fewer than 11 more free throws than the Warriors. In the Game 5 loss, Golden State shot 10 more shots from the line than OKC.
Some of the disparity in Game 5 can be attributed to the intentional fouling towards the end of the game in attempt to keep it close until the final whistle, but Donovan would likely argue that calls throughout the game were the true culprit. The start of the game may have had something to do with that:




First seven fouls of the game went against the Thunder…
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 27, 2016
Billy Donovan spent most of the past 10 mins just stink-eyeing ref Marc Davis like Davis just intentionally rear ended his car.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 27, 2016
The Warriors will look to stay alive once again in Game 6 on Saturday back in Oklahoma City. If the first five games tell us anything, it's that the team that gets to the charity stripe more will come away with the victory.
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