The Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-103 to complete the series sweep Monday night. In this matchup, the Warriors were locked in from the very beginning and their largest lead reached out to 33 points. The Blazers gave this game and series their all but ultimately were outmatched by this powerhouse Warriors team.
In the first half, Kevin Durant who was returning from a strained calf got things started as he hit his first three of the game. That was symbolic of what was to come, as the Warriors raced out to a 22-5 start capped by a Durant dunk at the 6:37 mark of the 1st quarter. The Warriors then extended the lead to 35-9 as Steph Curry caught fire and hit three out of four threes. But it was their defense that set up most of their chances and allowed them to run in transition and end the quarter leading 45-22.
The Blazers catching the hands out the gate ?#DubNation #Ripcity
(Via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/iuFh8exinp— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 25, 2017
In the second quarter, the Blazer refused to lay down as Damian Lillard came out and scored their first 10 points of the quarter. Although the Blazers cut the lead down to 20 points with 4:26 remaining, the Warriors kicked it into gear and the score was 72-48 at the half. Lillard’s backcourt mate, CJ McCollum ended the first half with 0 points and 0-of-6 from the field. Meanwhile, Curry led the Warriors with 21 points and shot 5-of-8 from the three-point line.
Ouuuu
Lillard just made Draymond take a seat #RipCity
(Via @clippittv)pic.twitter.com/aBdYnAvvat— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 25, 2017
Unfortunately for the Blazers, the Warriors didn’t take their foot off the gas and went off on a 17-6 run in the third quarter. Much of the third quarter included Steph doing Steph things and the Blazers watching as there was nothing they could do as he finished with a game-high 37 points.
Steph putting on a show
37 points at the end of the 3rd#DubNation pic.twitter.com/quAaK0ZiWl
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 25, 2017
However, Lillard continued to battle the entire second half and was subbed out for the first time all game with 6:12 remaining in the 4th quarter. Lillard logged 42 minutes and finished with 34 points, 6 assists and shot 50 percent from the floor, a truly heroic game for Lillard despite the score.
After completing the sweep, the Warriors will wait for the winner of the Los Angeles and Utah series to face in the second round. In a closeout game, it’s clear the Warriors were locked in mentally and it showed as they dominated from start to finish and got the series sweep in Portland.
