There was no denying that the Golden State Warriors have had one of the most frustrating seasons in the NBA during those 24 minutes. The Portland Trail Blazers had already lost 8-2 by the time you turned on the TV.
It wasn’t executed well, but the effort wasn’t there. After making baskets, they were beaten down on the court in transition. For loose balls and on the glass, they were out-hustled. Instead of attacking the rim relentlessly, they settled for stepback threes.
In the first quarter, led by Damian Lillard, the Blazers put together an 18-4 run, pushing the lead to 17 before settling on a 41-27 information going into the second.
As it was in the first quarter, it was the same in the second. As the Blazers became more energized, their lead grew to 23 points. The Warriors could only pull within 17 points at halftime after a mini-run at the end of the first half.
The Warriors then showed us why they were still in win-now mode for the next 24 minutes. Why they aren’t giving up on winning this season, the other teams still fear them.
Despite Steph Curry’s and Andrew Wiggins’s absences, the Warriors announced their arrival in the third quarter. Jordan Poole’s performance this offseason led the Warriors to give him a contract well into the nine figures.
In response to Portland’s panic, the defense clamped down. They went on a run of 18-2. The arena was set ablaze by Jonathan Kuminga.
After stretching their lead to double digits early in the fourth quarter, the Dubs won 123-105 to move out of the play-in tournament and into the West’s sixth seed.
Besides Poole’s 29 points, five rebounds, and six assists, Klay finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. In just 11 shots, Donte DiVincenzo scored 21 points, and Draymond Green added 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
From a low of 23 to a high of 18. That’s a great win.
