Warriors Game Day: Sights & Sounds From Moda Center – Steph Curry Scores 47 Points In Thriller Loss To Portland Trail Blazers (Photo: @ripcitypix Instagram account)
MODA CENTER, PORTLAND, OR — Poor Man’s Commish here traveling with the team to play against the Portland Trail Blazers, where I used some Starwood points to book a room at the same hotel where the Golden State Warriors were staying: The Nines. What a hotel! It was like checking into a hotel dedicated to Tiffany, the jewelry store.
Shortly thereafter, I bumped into head coach Mark Jackson at the mall across the street, as well as assistant coaches Lindsey Hunter, Jery DeGregorio and trainer Eric Housen at the Chipotle restaurant down the block. No sign of ballyhooed Chipotle fan Harrison Barnes, though.
On my way to Moda Center, I ran into Andre Iguodala in the elevator, then witnessed this mob scene on Stephen Curry by the team bus. Incidentally, the city of Portland has some amazing public transportation. Not only did I watch the Warriors team bus leave the hotel, but I also watched it pull out of the loading dock at the Moda Center. When I walked into the arena, I saw a bunch of really nice cars. Wonder which Blazer owns the red Mercedes? Gotta be a long-term contract guy (due to it being Blazers red).
Inside the Moda Center, we waited for Jackson. He gave the typical pregame praise of the opposing team, then Warriors radio man Tim Roye closed off with a question about Manny Pacquiao.
Courtside, #DubNation was well-represented. During the national anthem, a couple dudes wearing Warriors jerseys yelled #LetsGoWarriors during the silent part.
IN-GAME
The Warriors came out cold. Curry turning the ball over on the first play, then Draymond Green entering the game and promptly committing a bad screen were indications that the Dubs just were not sharp. Iguodala had a couple of fastbreak dunks but also let one slip away with butter fingers.
It was Blazers 23, #Warriors 19, at end of the first quarter. The Warriors shot just 36% and Portland ended the first frame on a 14-3 run.
By halftime, the Warriors pulled ahead behind 21 points from Curry, which was just the beginning.
With 2:43 to go in the third quarter, the Warriors still held the lead, 69-65. Curry was up to 26 points and Iguodala had 13.
By the end of the quarter, however, the Blazers closed the gap and took a one-point lead, 76-75. LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for Portland with 18 points. Curry had 24.
The Warriors got down by as many as ten points in the fourth quarter, but Curry, now with 42 points, led a furious rally and closed the gap to 95-91 with about six minutes to go.
The Warriors had the last possession, down by three, and Curry delivered to an open Green, who did a Curry-like step-back to send the game into overtime, 105-105.
With Andrew Bogut out with hurt ribs (X-ray results pending), the Blazers won the overtime tipoff over Jermaine O’Neal and proceeded to take a four-point lead after Klay Thompson missed both free throws on a nice drive to the hoop.
However, Nic Batum missed free throws as well and it was back to the same scenario: Warriors with the ball, this time down two. Everyone in the building expected Curry to take the last shot.
Instead, he drove hard right-to-left, drew a defender, which left Iguodala wide open from the right elbow three-point line. Curry delivered the pass, but Iguodala hit back iron.
The Blazers would win, solidify their 5th seed, leaving the Warriors to fend off the Dallas Mavericks for the 6th seed.
Curry finished with a whopping 47 points.
POST-GAME
Jackson showered the praise on Curry, saying his performance was “absolutely amazing. Obviously a disappointing loss, but you think about it, 47 points and he made the right play (to Draymond).
“At the end of the ballgame,” Jackson said, “again, Steph Curry makes the correct play.”
Green was amazed but not amazed.
“I don’t know why people continue to be amazed by it,” Green quipped, “I’m amazed when he don’t do that because I’m used to seeing it, but nonetheless it’s still amazing. What I’m saying is contradictory, but I’m used to seeing it. It never gets old.”
Thompson was a bit more despondent after the game.
“We can’t let guys score 119 points on us,” Thompson said. Then Marreese Speights walked by and shouted, “Beep beep,” to let reporters clear space for him in the cramped locker room.
Iguodala said his last shot had a good chance.
“I was making sure I got some lift on it,” Iguodala said, “Just didn’t go in.”
Curry discussed his close relationship with Wes Matthews, who played pretty good defense on Curry all night.
“He was talkin’, I was talkin’,” Curry said about their friendship.
The Warriors will face the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow at #Roaracle, then the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday to close out the season. The playoffs will start this Saturday or Sunday, depending on the NBA’s scheduling.
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