The goal for Golden State: Do everything to shut out Damian Lillard without fouling the Trail Blazers star, as he did last time he made all 16 of his free throws against the defending champs.
Jordan Poole had 29 points, six assists, and five rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 23 points, and the Warriors overcame a red-hot Lillard and Portland 123-105 on Tuesday night.
Lillard had 25 points and seven assists against the Rockets on Sunday night when his 13 3-pointers were one shy of Thompson’s NBA record.
Coach Steve Kerr said, “We know all too well what Demme can do when it gets rolling.” “That was the plan from the beginning, let’s try to pull that out.”
Lillard was whistled for three quick fouls after halftime, and Portland unsuccessfully challenged his fourth personal foul. The Warriors capitalized on every opportunity during their pivotal 39-point third quarter, taking a nice lead on Thompson’s 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining to win their fourth straight at home and eighth in nine at the Chase Center. ,
Golden State fell to 23 on February 8 after losing 125–122 in Portland.
Guard Donate DiVincenzo said, “It was a really good test for what we need to do moving forward.”
Jonathan Kuminga delivered a high-flying one-handed dunk down the middle late in the third to make the highlight reel, then helped stage a comeback shortly after. He scored 16 on 8-for-10 shooting.
Lillard had 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the first, helping the Blazers take a 39–22 lead and score 41 in the opening period. He shot 9 of 21 for the night and took only five free throws.
Thompson and Lillard were the league’s two most prolific shooters from long range in February, with Thompson averaging an NBA-best 5.6 3s per game to Lillard’s 5.3.
Thompson is working on being a better rebounder and grabbed eight to go along with four assists. He and Poole went a combined 6 for 22 as the Warriors trailed 65–48 at halftime.
It marked the first meeting since Portland dealt Gary Payton II to the Warriors before the trade deadline, then Golden State expressed concern to the NBA about how much the Trail Blazers shared about the guard’s health. Pepton is currently sidelined to recover from off-season surgery for a core muscle injury.
“Just want the hoop!!” Payton posted on his Twitter account.
Draymond Green returned from a two-game absence with a right knee injury, then injured his left wrist at the 9:15 mark of the second in a collision with Drew Eubanks and walked to the locker room before returning about four minutes later. Went.
He underwent an MRI exam for his knee on Monday, then participated in a shootaround before returning to play and contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins are still out, so getting Green back on the court makes a lot of sense.
“It feels like we’re coming together, and it looks like there’s some chemistry, some energy that’s building up,” Kerr said. “We have been struggling all season and season without Steph and the wigs. These guys have done a great job of keeping our heads above water.