Golden State Warriors curry Portland Trail Blazers in barn burner, 137-122
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Tue, 05 Jan 2021
January 4, 2021
City by the Bay, California
Stephen Curry’s actions, last night, spoke louder than words---more pronounced than the fired- up Draymond Green’s chirping against Damian Lillard. #30 of the Warriors painted the floor with a dazzling array of floaters, pull-up jumpers and his signature long-range daggers that brought the 42-strong home crowd, give or take a few relatives, on their feet.
Without a doubt, Curry’s dominant display reminds us that he is still a force to be reckoned with and capable of lifting his team make a run for the play-offs. He was 18/31 from the field (8/16 from downtown), 18/19 from the free throw line (snapping his team record streak at 80 from the foul line), 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes.
The Warrior’s supporting cast temporarily muted their early-season critics by helping Curry craft his 62-point masterpiece and 15-point victory over the visiting Portland team which blazed them at home on New Year’s Day.
For his efforts, Stephen Curry became the first player since the late Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 to score at least 30 points in both halves of a game. Damian Lillard, who combined with CJ McCollum 60 points, paid tribute after the game, “YOU CAN’T DISH IT OUT AND NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE IT. #RESPECT”
Draymond Green was solid in his second game back with 3 rebounds, 8 assists and season-high 1 point…you read that right (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT and 0-1 from downtown) in 28 minutes of play.
Green, the playmaker, produced 3 spectacular assists resulting in the following--- a dunk for Kelly Oubre, Jr. off a fast break 2 minutes before the half, an accidental air ball beyond the arc which Steph Curry caught that resulted in a 3-point play and laser alley oop dunk to rookie James Wiseman late in the third quarter.
Stephen Curry celebrating with Draymond Green and Damion Lee, January 3, 2021 (photos courtesy of NBA TV and Golden State Warriors)
“You try to just continue to stay humble and stay in the moment,” Curry said on NBC Sports after the game.
The high-scoring and exciting game produced highlight reels from both teams.
For the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins contributed 21 points for the Warriors, Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 17 points.
For the Blazers, Damian Lillard led the charge with 32 points and CJ McCollum added 28 points but still came up short.
Watch Blazers at Warriors, January 3, 2021 (Chase Center, San Francisco, California)
Video courtesy of NBA TV by way of PhilBoxing.com.
Team Stats (courtesy of the NBA by way of PhilBoxing.com)
Up Next:
• Sacramento Kings face the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center January 4, 2021 (Monday)
