NBA Playoffs -- Warriors stun Blazers with late surge to take 2-0 lead (PHOTOS)
By Ponciano Melo Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 May 2019
OAKLAND -- When Myers Leonard drilled a 30-foot 3 to put the Portland Trail Blazers ahead 108-100 with 4:28 to go in Game 2 of the 2019 Western Conference Finals, it appeared that they were about to pull off a giant road heist and knot the best-of-7 series at 1-1
But the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors had other ideas and altered the plot with a 14-3 flurry that allowed them to escape with a narrow 114-111 victory and grab a 2-0 lead over the stunned Blazers on Friday morning (Philippine time) at the jampacked Oracle Arena.
After a tepid start in which they surrendered 65 points at the half and trailed 67-50 early in the third quarter, the Warriors, who are gunning for a historic three consecutive championships, didn't panic and slowly chipped away at their deficit until finally catching up at 89-89 at the end of the third quarter.
"Our experience really paid off for us tonight and having a bunch of guys who just won't quit," Draymond Green told reporters after the huge comeback win. Green barely missed a triple-double effort with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Like the Game 1 blowout, Steph Curry led the way, this time courtesy of an all-around masterpiece in which he carved 37 points, eight rebounds and eight dimes. Curry made just four out of 14 3-point attempts, but he shot 11-of-22 from the field overall and swished all 11 of his free throws, including three straight that put Golden State ahead for good, 110-108, with 2:01 to go.
Klay Thompson finished with 24, thanks to a 4-of-8 fare from long distance, while the bench came up strong once again as Kevin Looney got 14 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Bell added 11 for Golden State, which ended up making 42 of their 82 field goals (51.2 percent) and 9-of-29 triples (31 percent).
"Got to find a way to win and that's what we did. Winning plays, everybody contributed. Very exciting way to win. We've got to play better in the first half for sure," a relieved Curry told reporters at the post-game press conference.
Damian Lillard topscored for Portland with 23 points while his backcourt mate, fellow All-Star C.J. McCollum, added 22. They did, however, struggle from the field and combined to make just 15 of their 39 shots. Portland, as a unit, converted just 38 of 86 field goals, a modest 44.2 percent.
"I thought we gave ourselves a chance. We missed some shots. We had some turnovers. Lost the game, but you know, their job was to take care of their home floor, and we've got an opportunity to do the same thing," Lillard said.
Portland head coach Terry Stotts also rued about his team's "lost opportunity" but he also acknowledged the Warriors' poise under pressure. "They played like a championship team would here at home. They made plays in the last three minutes and we didn't."
After a torrid 34-point second quarter, Portland entered the half with a 15-point cushion before solidifying it to 17. And while the Warriors made a terrific fourth quarter run, the Blazers still had that golden opportunity in the waning moments when Seth Curry's 3 put them on top, 111-110, with just 1:03 remaining.
It just wasn't meant to be.
Instead, they head home with a demoralizing 0-2 deficit. Teams down 0-2 in the history of the NBA playoffs have a slim nine percent chance (5-51) of coming back to win the series.
Game 3 is Sunday morning at the Moda Center in Portland.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ponciano Melo Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Jun 2026“I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
Sat, 20 Jun 2026Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Jun 2026BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
By Ray Dunbar, Fri, 19 Jun 2026WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
Fri, 19 Jun 2026DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
Thu, 18 Jun 2026