Despite two-time MVP Stephen Curry being sidelined with the flu for the first time this season, the Warriors eked past the Blazers 113-111, after giving up a 21-point first half lead.
Klay Thompson struggled all game in Curry’s absence, going 6-of-21 from the field, but hit the game’s biggest shot, a corner three with 37 seconds to give the Warriors a 106-99 lead. The shot was preceded by a floating jumper by Durant on the previous possession, and an impressive defensive play by Draymond Green, to thwart Mason Plumlee down low on the other end.
With the Warriors leading 113-111 with 5.5 seconds remaining, Kevin Durant committed an offensive foul to give the Blazers the final possession of the game. Even Turner missed a corner three for the win.
With the victory, the Warriors sweep the season series with the Blazers 4-0.
Durant re-grabbed the reigns as the Warriors’ go-to option, leading the team with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, despite going 1-of-7 from deep. C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting.
The Warriors got excellent production from the center position all evening, with Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee and James Michael McAdoo combining for 25 points, on 7-of-9 shooting. Pachulia made eight free throws on five trips to the line.
Without Curry, Golden State was far from their best, going 10-27 from three while committing 18 turnovers, including seven and six from Durant and Draymond Green respectively. Golden State was outscored 58-32 by Portland in the paint.
With Shaun Livingston taking place of Curry in the starting lineup, the Warriors offense didn’t miss a beat to open the game, scoring 33 and leading by nine after the first quarter. Durant took the reigns, scoring 11 points on nine shots — two fewer than he took on Saturday against the Clippers — and added three boards and three assists. Kerr experimented with a number of interesting lineups early on, including backcourts of Durant and Draymond Green, and later Patrick McCaw paired with Ian Clark.
The second quarter was a tale of two runs. The Warriors opened by outscoring Portland 18-6 in just over six minutes. The Blazers responded by finishing the quarter on 19-3 run of their own, spurned by Warriors’ missed layups and back-to-back late three-pointers by Damian Lillard. Golden State’s 21 point advantage was cut to 53-50 by halftime. Golden State went 4-of-17 from three in the half and 0-of-7 in the quarter. Thompson struggled mightily, going 3-of-13 from the field.
The Blazers held their ground well into the third quarter, until JaVale McGee entered for Pachulia with 4:52, helping Golden State close the quarter on a 14-6 run. McGee got things going with a block and two quick buckets. Andre Iguodala then closed the quarter with consecutive three’s, including an off-the-dribble pull-up reminiscent of his sharp-shooting teammates. Golden State ended the quarter with 84-74 lead.
The Blazers then took their turn to open the fourth, cutting Golden State’s lead to one with a 15-6 run. The Warriors held on, despite being outscored 37-29 in the quarter.
The Warriors get two days off before returning to Oracle Arena Wednesday, for a return clash with the Charlotte Hornets. Golden State beat the Hornets in Charlotte (23-25) last Wednesday 113-103.