Warriors Take Commanding Series Lead
By Dan Bruno
The Golden State Warriors defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers, 110-99, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, at Moda Center on Saturday evening.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start at home, with a 17-8 lead early in the first. However, the Warriors rallied back to make it a two-point game heading into the second. The Trail Blazers kept the upper hand though, as they outscored the visitors by 11 in the second quarter, to take a 13-point lead into halftime. The Warriors came out on another level in the second half, as they got straight to business, outscoring the Trail Blazers by 16 in the third quarter, to take a three-point lead into the fourth. The Warriors managed to maintain their composure through the fourth and held the lead to entire way despite Portland keeping it close. Nonetheless, the Warriors held on to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 37 minutes. Draymond Green tallied a triple-double, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in 38 minutes. Klay Thompson added 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. The Warriors shot 49 percent from the field, including 8-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, C.J. McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 23 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals, in 38 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Myers Leonard added 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. The Trail Blazers shot 40 percent from the field, including 11-of-35 from long range.
The Trail Blazers will have to fight for their playoff lives as they look to avoid the sweep when they host the Warriors in Game 4 on Monday.
The Trail Blazers got out to a great start at home, with a 17-8 lead early in the first. However, the Warriors rallied back to make it a two-point game heading into the second. The Trail Blazers kept the upper hand though, as they outscored the visitors by 11 in the second quarter, to take a 13-point lead into halftime. The Warriors came out on another level in the second half, as they got straight to business, outscoring the Trail Blazers by 16 in the third quarter, to take a three-point lead into the fourth. The Warriors managed to maintain their composure through the fourth and held the lead to entire way despite Portland keeping it close. Nonetheless, the Warriors held on to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 36 points, six rebounds and three assists, in 37 minutes. Draymond Green tallied a triple-double, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in 38 minutes. Klay Thompson added 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. The Warriors shot 49 percent from the field, including 8-of-26 from deep.
Meanwhile, C.J. McCollum led the Trail Blazers with 23 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals, in 38 minutes. Damian Lillard followed up with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Myers Leonard added 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. The Trail Blazers shot 40 percent from the field, including 11-of-35 from long range.
The Trail Blazers will have to fight for their playoff lives as they look to avoid the sweep when they host the Warriors in Game 4 on Monday.