The Warriors on Sunday night raised burning disagreements with some opinions that heated up the court of public opinion, reminding everyone that Steph Curry is great about basketball and Steve Kerr is not a one-time coach.
Curry scored a career-high 62 points – the highest total ever in the short history of Chase Center – and the Warriors returned Friday with a 137-122 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (3-2) from an embarrassing loss against Portland. .
The Warriors (3-3) benefited from a simplified offense that relied heavily on Curry’s ability to break defenses and take out situations, while also leveraging his unique resettlement skills.
Four other Warriors scored in double figures, led by Andrew Wiggins’ 21 points.
Here are three takeaways from Golden State’s most impressive performance this season.
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Curry’s takeover
Curry wasted no time in making his mark on the game and scored 21 points in the first quarter to pull the Warriors into a lead they never lost.
He passed all three levels that night, put in the paint for drivers, drained shots in midfield and, of course, punished Portland from a distance. His 62-point night comes on 18-of-31 shooting, including 8-of-16 from the depths.
For a good match, he added Curry five rebounds and four assistants. He was more than 36 minutes plus 20.
However, that was not all good news for Curry, as a missed free throw in the first quarter ended his series of consecutive manufacturers from 80.
Energizers oral
Curry’s early fireworks display has raised his teammates to higher and more sustained energy levels than has ever been seen this season.
Draymond Green, who played for the second time this season, looked more like his typical self, influencing the action on both sides of the floor and even involving Damian Lillard in a ‘debate’ that led to double technicals mistakes.
The effort level of Kelly Oubre Jr. (season high 17 points) was good but typed a little higher. Wiggins brought passion on both sides. Kent Bazemore, Damion Lee and Eric Paschall come off the bench and chase everything that moves while getting a few buckets.
The result was a much improved defense, especially early on, and the Warriors play at a level that maintains them to become a winning team.
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Clean the glass
For the first time this season, the Warriors grab more rebounds than their opponent and put up a 60-51 lead.
One small stat for a night, one giant leap to improve their chances of winning.
Instead of an individual channeling Andre Drummond and inhaling a week’s rebounds, it was a team effort, with eight different Warriors grabbing at least three. Bazemore had eight and Wiggins had seven.
James Wiseman picks up a career-high 11, giving him his first NBA double with 12 points.