Golden State Warriors Clamp Down On High-Powered Portland In Second Half
By Phil Watson
Jan 26, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands next to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors have been in something of a defensive funk lately, allowing 120 or more points three times in their last five games, and they were in the midst of another high-flying affair Sunday night at Oracle Arena against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland (33-12) led 55-54 at halftime, but from there the Warriors (27-18) turned the Blazers into little more than a small smolder, holding Portland to just 33 points in the second half of a 103-88 victory.
The 88 points was a season low for the Blazers, who were also held to their worst shooting performance of the season.
The Dubs did the real defensive damage in the third quarter, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Blazers to just 3-for-19 from the floor and 12 points to take a 76-67 lead at the quarter break.
The last time the two teams met, also at Oracle Arena, Andrew Bogut and Portland’s Mo Williams earned one-game suspensions for their part in a dust up that ensued after Bogut walloped Portland’s Joel Freeland in the jaw with an elbow. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland’s leading scorer, wound up with a $45,000 fine.
On Sunday night, it didn’t escalate to that level, but Bogut and Aldridge locked horns in the third period, earning technical fouls.
Aldridge had one of his worst offensive nights of the season for Portland, hitting just 2-of-14 shots and scoring 10 points. He came in averaging 24.6 a night.
Stephen Curry had no such trouble finding the basket. Curry had a game-high 38 points to go with eight assists, hitting 13-of-23 overall and 5-of-8 from his ZIP code, known as 3-point range.
Klay Thompson and David Lee scored 17 points apiece, with Lee adding 12 rebounds. Andre Iguodala finished with 12 points and 10 boards.
Wesley Matthews led the Blazers with 21 points, Damian Lillard added 16 and Aldridge and Robin Lopez each scored 10. Aldridge also had 11 rebounds.
Portland was a season-worst 28-for-83 (33.7 percent) overall, 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) from deep and 26-for-33 (78.8 percent) from the line. Golden State was 38-for-91 (41.8 percent), 10-for-25 (40 percent) and 17-for-21 (81 percent).
The Trail Blazers had a 54-51 rebounding edge—the most rebounds the Dubs have surrendered this year—and led in second-chance points 17-12. However, the Warriors outscored the Blazers 40-26 in the paint and 18-13 on the fast-break.
Golden State also committed just nine turnovers, which Portland turned into 15 points, while the Blazers gave it away 15 times, contributing to 14 points for the Warriors.
The Warriors will be home again Tuesday night, hosting the Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.