Curry moved into a tie with Robert Horry for ninth place on the all-time list of 3-pointers in the postseason with 261. During his 20 regular-season appearances for Portland, the 22-year-old bowled his way to 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while helping to lift his team to a 14-6 record.
On 20 shots he scored 37 points and shot 7-of-11 from deep.
"For us, we look at them and you don't want to say do what they do, but you want to have that cohesiveness and that understanding and that effortless flow to the game". Our defensive intensity and focus was the reason we got it done tonight.
"We knew if we threw the first punch, we knew that it would overwhelm them a bit, especially being up 3-0", Durant said. Much like the entire first-round series. He just wanted the win.
But the Warriors saw the return of forward Kevin Durant, who hadn't played since Game 1 because of a strained left calf. Al-Farouq Aminu had 25 points off the bench. That's at least how Blazers coach Terry Stotts sees it. "The culture here, the foundation Steve has laid, the players are smart, the coaches I have around me - that all puts you at ease".
That almost happened Monday night. If that series extends to seven, Game 1 of Round 2 will be next Tuesday.
The first-round sweep was sweet, even in Portland's house. They came out of the break and continued to dominate, leading by 33 points halfway through the third period; 93-60. "I'm hoping for some improvement and if I can get some improvement, I'll get back on the sidelines". By that point, Golden State had a 72-48 lead, and all that was left was to wait until the season ended - and to feel Kourtney Kardashian's pain (or shame). It started in the opening quarter where Golden State dropped 45 points.
Portland got no closer than 18 in the second quarter, and no closer than 23 after intermission.
As many Warriors players publicly extended their condolences for their leader, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James also got in the mix, putting aside the clear rivalry between the two franchises. All of Golden State's starters were in double figures.
"He hadn't been feeling well for a couple days, so I knew it would be a possibility", Brown told reporters before the game. "Everything that we tried to do, we tried to do it at a high level and it worked". Kerr is still around the team - he was at Monday's shootaround in the morning and watched Game 4 in the visitors locker room - but he is unable to coach from the bench and his status for the rest of the postseason is now unknown.
Comments