With their record-shattering season in peril, the Golden State Warriors prevailed 120-111 to force Game 6 in Oklahoma City. In Thursday’s must-win contest, unanimous MVP Stephen Curry seized control, scoring 31 points while nabbing five steals.

Until running afoul of the surging Thunder, Golden State had evaded consecutive losses all year – a year that’s been lionized for historic wins, three-pointers made, and MVP votes received. However, in an anxiety-laden Oracle Arena Thursday night, the defending Champions stoically stared into the eyes of a rabid Oklahoma City unit hell-bent on nullifying those glorious plaudits.

Behind former league MVP Kevin Durant’s 40-point outburst, the Thunder nearly shocked the sporting world. The ninth-year veteran attempted 31 shots, making 12. Durant was also flawless from the foul-line, connecting on thirteen attempts. All-Star sidekick Russell Westbrook scored 31 on 28 attempts.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]

Undaunted by the dynamic duo, Golden State limited OKC’s remaining eight cagers to 40 points on 32 shots. The Thunder bench was rendered ineffective, combining for just 13 points.

Knowing his team needed an added boost, former Chicago Bulls sniper, and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr urged his team’s supporters to provide an extra spark, according to NBA.com.

“It’s a big game. We need our crowd behind us,” Kerr said beforehand. “We know they’ll be here, and the 6 o’clock start makes things difficult for a lot of people to get here on time. So the first couple games we had a pretty late-arriving crowd. So it’s kind of a reminder to be here early, if possible.”

When called upon, the roaring Golden State faithful successfully propelled their team of destiny forth. In addition, to support from the raucous home crowd, the resilient Warriors received 58 points from their vaunted back court. Willful role players Andrew Bogut (15 points), Marreese Speights (14), and Draymond Green (11) added to the team’s victorious total of 120 points.

Speaking of Draymond Green – when needed most, the maligned Golden State Warriors’ All-Star re-emerged with a stat-stuffing performance. Though Green’s 11 points were pedestrian, his 13 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks were paramount in saving his team’s season.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]

In Golden State’s three losses to Oklahoma City, the Warriors’ performance on the glass was lacking. Not so Thursday night. When facing elimination, the duo of Bogut and Green combined for 27 rebounds. Stephen Curry provided versatility by corralling seven crucial boards, as Golden State grabbed 45 rebounds to nullify the Thunder in that department.

In the midst of the teams’ competitive struggle, the deciding factors became Golden State’s foul-line, fast break, and interior dominance. The Warriors outscored Oklahoma City in transition 28-15 while pounding the Thunder in the paint 48-to-30.

Golden State’s 31-of-34 effort from the foul line proved the nail in Game 5’s coffin.

Following his team’s triumph, Stephen Curry defiantly shouted “We’re not going home. We’re not going home.”

With the victory, the 73-9 defending champion Warriors pulled within one win of forcing a deciding game seven at Oracle. However, to reach that summit Golden State must rebuke the home-standing Thunder in Game 6 on a home court they’ve yet to lose on in this series.

Saturday night’s game six of the Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series should be one of the most watched in NBA history.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]