*Please note this video was recorded before the Warriors played Game Two.
After the Warriors dominated the Trail Blazers in Game Two and took a 2-0 lead in the series, Golden State heads out on the road for Games Three and Four of the first round of the Western Conference. The series will now transition to Portland, so the Warriors will have an opportunity to take a serious look at C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard.
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The two stars combined for the second-most points ever scored by two Trail Blazers in the postseason in one game. However, despite their efforts, it still wasn’t enough to come away with the win.
C.J. McCollum was simply remarkable in the second quarter of game one coming off with 41 points.
Together, Lillard and McCollum combined for 75 points shooting from the field. Unfortunately for the Blazers, the rest of the team only made 12 of their 39 shot attempts.
However, the Warriors came together on defense. Perhaps, McCollum and Lillard were fatigued down the stretch. Regardless, Golden State’s defense is not to be underestimated.
Portland will simply need other players to help carry some of the scoring burden, so that the guards don’t expend all their energy to keep the Blazers afloat. Terry Stotts, Portland’s head coach said, “If they [Lillard and McCollum] get 80 between them, we still need to score another 40 or 50 somewhere.”
Of course, it’s not as if the Trail Blazers were just missing open looks. The Warriors had stretches of great defensive play throughout the game. Draymond Green was at the center of most of the plays. He’s arguably had the best start of anyone this playoff season, and on Sunday, he became the first player in Warriors history to be the team’s outright leader in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in a playoff game.
If Green can continue to have an impact on the defensive end in the series, the Warriors will advance to next round easily.
Golden State Warriors Western Conference First One Playoff Schedule:
- Game 3 – Sat. April 22 Golden State at Portland, 10:30 p.m., ESPN/R
- Game 4 – Mon. April 24 Golden State at Portland, 10:30 p.m., TNT/R
- Game 5 * Wed. April 26 Portland at Golden State, TBD
- Game 6 * Fri. April 28 Golden State at Portland, TBD
- Game 7 * Sun. April 30 Portland at Golden State, TBD
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