Warriors push Blazers to brink, inch closer to NBA Finals

MANILA, Philippines – The Golden State Warriors are within arm’s reach of a fifth straight trip to the NBA Finals after handing the Portland Trail Blazers a sound 110-99 beating on Saturday, May 18 (Sunday, May 19, Manila time).

Still without star Kevin Durant, Golden State banked on the trio of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson to gain a commanding 3-0 lead over Portland in their best-of-seven Western Conference finals duel.

No team in NBA history has come back from a 0-3 deficit. 

Curry seemed he could do no wrong after scorching hot for 36 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Draymond Green put up another triple-double of 20 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 steals in the comeback win. 

@Money23Green (20 PTS, 13 REB, 12 AST) posts his 7th career #NBAPlayoffs triple-double and the @warriors storm back to go up 3-0! #StrengthInNumbers

Game 4: Monday (5/20), 9pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/RUBvfA3HZC

— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2019

“He was like a wrecking ball, destroying everything in his path. The pace that he was generating was incredible. It just seemed like he never got tired,” said winning head coach Steve Kerr about Green. 

Thompson delivered 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals as several other Warriors provided decent contributions off the bench. 

The Trail Blazers, though, were primed to shave their series deficit to 1-2 after holding a comfortable 73-59 lead midway through the 3rd quarter off Lillard and Myers Leonard buckets.

However, that lead quickly vanished before their eyes as Golden State unloaded a 23-6 bomb to enter the final frame with an 82-79 advantage.

The Warriors then slowly pulled away, first off back-to-back shots from Quink Cook for an 88-82 lead then off two straight triples from Alfonzo McKinnie and Curry to go up 98-87 with less than 5 minutes left.

#DubNation @StephenCurry30 (36 PTS, 6 3PM) scores 30+ for the 4th straight game as the @warriors come back from 18 down to win Game 3! #StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs

Game 4: Monday (5/20), 9pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/nxUiYBCl6t

— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2019

Portland made shots here and there in an attempt to stage a last-ditch fightback only to witness Golden State go right back with much more. 

CJ McCollum had 23 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while Lillard added 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals for the Trail Blazers but shot a combined 12-of-38 clip.

Game 4 will be staged in Portland on Monday, May 20 (Tuesday, May 21, Philippine time). – Rappler.com