Steph Curry’s first 3-pointer of the third quarter rippled the web from 32 toes away, eliciting a murmur from the Portland crowd at Moda Middle on Sunday night time. His second make was a 25-foot stepback from the appropriate wing, turning the murmur into nervous groans on the very subsequent possession.
Curry’s third make in a minute and a half was a 26-foot rainbow from the other wing after dribbling round screens, and by that time, even the Blazer diehards needed to cheer for the marksmanship they have been witnessing.
Curry scored 48 and made 12 3-pointers, surpassing Michael Jordan for probably the most 40-point video games after turning 30 (45). Nonetheless, he was not good within the Warriors’ 136-131 loss, lacking a driving layup with 27 seconds remaining and down by one level.
Deni Avdija knocked down two free throws to push the result in three, and Curry had one other late turnover to assist safe the sport for the Blazers. Although the final 15 seconds took round 20 minutes to play, the Warriors ultimately fell to 0-3 towards Portland.
“We’re just not closing games down the stretch,” coach Steve Kerr stated.
it was a recreation the place the Kerr chased the win, with Curry beginning the fourth quarter reasonably than starting the body watching from the bench as standard. Shaedon Sharpe did his greatest to maintain up with Curry, scoring a team-high 35 for the Blazers. Jerami Grant additionally put in 35 factors.
Jimmy Butler III scored 16 and made 10 free throws as all 5 Warriors starters hit double-figures in scoring, however no different Warrior was capable of hit the 20-point threshold.
The Warriors have been coming off a 127-120 dwelling loss to the Timberwolves, a outcome preceded by a pair of street wins in Cleveland and Chicago. For the second recreation in a row, protection was nowhere to be seen. The Warriors led 62-61 at halftime because the groups blasted up and down the court docket, and 99-96 after three quarters.
The Warriors loved a 10-point lead within the fourth quarter, however a 12-0 run led by Grant helped Portland take a lead. Curry’s tenth triple gave the Warriors one other lead because the groups went forwards and backwards. Portland made the performs down the stretch to drag out the victory.
Golden State (13-14) may have one other three nights off earlier than enjoying at Phoenix on Thursday.
Draymond returns
After lacking the previous three video games due to a proper foot sprain and for a private cause, Draymond Inexperienced returned to the lineup and began subsequent to Publish.
Rust was not an element towards a Blazers lineup that began Donovan Clingan, who injured Inexperienced on a rebound through the Warriors’ final recreation towards the Blazers in November.
Inexperienced performed half-hour, doling out eight assists and grabbing seven rebounds. He did commit eight turnovers, but in addition had three steals.
“His energy is amazing for us, and he plays so hard,” Kerr stated. “He just has to find a way to walk that line … he should have had three turnovers instead of eight.”
Inexperienced scored 14 within the first half alone by making 5 of 6 subject objectives and burying a few 3-pointers. He was aggressive all through when it got here to attacking open house, at all times seeking to get the ball to Curry or shooters.
Blazers have one other sizzling capturing night time
Statistics say that the Path Blazers are the least threatening long-range unit within the NBA. Although they’re fourth in makes an attempt per recreation (42), Portland is lifeless final in accuracy at 32.8%.
However whereas the Blazers are normally ineffective from behind the arc, there may be simply one thing in regards to the Warriors protection that turns bricklayers into snipers.
Portland made 16 of 34 within the first common season matchup, after which adopted that up with a 16 of 45 night time in one other victory on Nov. 21. Sunday night time was extra of the identical regardless of Draymond Inexperienced’s return.
Within the rubber match, Portland made 20 of 39 triples, connecting on 10 of twenty-two within the first half.
After Curry put the Warriors up by 10 within the fourth quarter, Grant buried a few warmup threes from the corners to maintain the Blazers within the recreation.
Acquainted foe
If it feels as if Golden State is dealing with the Blazers each different recreation, there’s a cause for that.
The Warriors and Blazers have performed 5 occasions since Oct. 8 – twice within the preseason after which thrice over the primary two months of the common season.
Three of these matchups have been within the Pacific Northwest, which is the place Sunday’s recreation passed off. They are going to play as soon as extra on Jan. 13 within the Bay Space.
New beginning lineup
Steve Kerr can’t be accused of being caught in his methods, at the least in relation to switching up the beginning 5. The Warriors trotted out their ninth completely different lineup in as many video games towards the Blazers.
This time, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody lined up on the perimeter, whereas Draymond Inexperienced and Quinten Publish performed the frontcourt spots.
Due to accidents and absences, the Warriors have used 15 completely different beginning fives in 27 video games this season.
