NBA Playoffs -- Lost opportunities doom Blazers against Warriors (PHOTOS)
By Ryan Gallardo
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 May 2019
PORTLAND -- On paper, the 2019 Western Conference Finals appears to be a notably one-sided battle dominated by the reigning and two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, who are on the verge of sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers.
Although the Warriors have outscored the Blazers by a total of 340-304 through three games, or by an average of 12 points per, this best-of seven set is really much closer than you think. In fact, this could have been 2-1 in favor of Portland by now.
Unfortunately, the Blazers couldn't protect the solid,double-digit leads they painstakingly built in their last two defeats.
In Game 2, they were up 65-50 at halftime. And even though the Warriors fought back ferociously, Portland still had 108-100 cushion with only 4:08 to go in the fourth quarter. The Warriors then went on a devastating 14-3 spurt the rest of the way to claim Game 2, 114-111.
In today's Game 3, the Blazers jumped on the Warriors early, and when Seth Curry made a deep 27-foot 3, their lead ballooned to 60-42 with only 2:28 left before the half. Again, the Blazers failed to capitalize and watched their lead completely evaporate when the Warriors went on a 29-13 third quarter run which left Portland behind by three, 82-79, entering the fourth quarter.
Even in the Game 1 blowout, the Blazers were in it and trailed by just six points --- 77-71 -- at the end of three quarters before the Warriors would eventually pull away with a blistering 39-point fourth quarter.
Under head coach Terry Stotts and with the leadership of two All-Stars in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Blazers have proven that they can compete with powerhouse Golden State. What they haven't shown, unfortunately, is the ability to protect a lead and use it as an impetus to win a game.
"They stay calm and they don't really get rattled," Portland center Zach Collins told The Oregonian about those resilient Warriors, who have taken Portland's best punch so far and have somehow remained standing at 3-0 and one game away from a fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.
The Warriors have embodied grace under pressure and courage under fire. And that's why they are the two-time defending champions gunning for their third straight title, a historic feat last accomplished by the 2000-02 Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The Blazers, meanwhile, only have themselves to blame for missing out on golden opportunities. Game 3's 18-point lead at home probably hurts the most. Realistically, Portland could have been on top of this series 2-1, or at the very least down just 1-2.
Instead, they head into Game 4 at the Moda Center on Monday (Tuesday morning in Manila) facing elimination. (RG)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Gallardo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
Tue, 30 Jun 2026