When Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard met when the Golden State Warriors faced the Portland Trail Blazers, NBA observers expected them to wage a Kong against Godzilla fight. One immortal showed up as Curry scored 35, but Lillard appeared unsettlingly vulnerable while the Warriors doubled him all night. Lady struggled to shoot and turn the ball around until the last two minutes. A three-pointer, a few free throws and a draw against Draymond Green left a mark on the game and were just enough to give Portland a 108-106 victory.
Lillard won 22. Carmelo Anthony also scored 22.
First term
Portland’s defense at the start of the game looked like a divorced dad at Christmas. They just kept giving and giving and giving. The Warriors jumped to a 10-0 lead on layups and tries … big no-nos from Portland’s perspective. Worse, Portland’s own tries are missing badly. Every shot inside the arc is well defended. It took four minutes for the Blazers to score their first bucket. At the same time, Steph Curry hit three tries. The Blazers continued to play like they had never met at the defensive point. The old Golden State team would have risen to 1,000 after the quarter. Unfortunately, everyone except Curry missed easy shots. Some turnover has complicated the Golden State situation. They were only able to take a 29-28 lead despite 16 in the quarter from Curry.
Second term
Carmelo Anthony carried the Blazers through the first half of the second period, scoring 11 points in his first 11 minutes of play. His devastating jumper freed teammates because the Warriors had to respect him and then some. This enabled Portland to keep up with the opponent, even while Lillard and Enes Kanter rested. The Warriors were bigger, but not necessarily better. Then Curry returned. He worried or caused so much distraction that Portland could not cope. But the Warriors still could not escape. Robert Covington picked up a tight defense while the quarter closed, while Gary Trent, Jr. made the Warriors pay for their “Double Lillard Always” defense with layouts and free throws. Curry scored a billion, Dame’s pit was dry, but Golden State only led 56-55 in the half. Maybe the Blazers are lying in wait to push the accelerator to the finish line?
Third term
Portland opened up third place giving Golden State a dose of medicine, trapping Curry in the arc every time he caught the ball. But Curry was able to pass out of the doubles teams that the Warriors defense simply did not allow for Lillard. Kent Bazemore became an outlet for tries and connected. Covington, however, shot the favor for shot. The Blazers kept their heads above water as usual: at the three. If their defense was tighter, they would be able to continue. If Lillard could ever find the series, neither would happen. But Portland’s triple and hard play from the supporting cast made all the difference. Portland led 82-80 after three.
Fourth term
Portland’s offense came to a standstill and their home defense lapsed at the start of the fourth. This happens when you are not playing a real point guard or center. When they did not get layouts or dirty shots, Golden Bank’s bank could not be better than Portland’s. Once again, the game turned around when Curry returned. He bends the floor by just existing, let alone when he presses. But this time, Lillard responds with a few buckets. Unfortunately, the pit dried up for the rest of the group. Tries were a struggle and nothing else fell. But Lillard’s rally was short-lived. He just could not overcome the double teams. Anthony did better on offense, on balance, than Dame did.
But then came the last two minutes.
Lillard skipped a try with 2:04 left, but Draymond Green responded immediately. Lillard could only throw a few free throws until the 14 seconds scored when Dame, with his team under 1 and Kent Bazemore across from him, hit a setback to give his team the lead. In subsequent possession, he saved a broken defensive set by drawing a charge and denying a green lineup that would tie the game. Covington missed both free kicks on offense, but the Warriors had no overtime left, and Golden State could not convert the triangle for the win.
Following
Goal scorer
The Blazers complete their first half schedule tomorrow night at 7:00 in the Pacific as they face the Sacramento Kings