PORTLAND – Stephen Curry and Draymond Green sat out the fourth quarter Friday night. Not because the Warriors had buried another opponent but because the Warriors were hopelessly behind the Trail Blazers.
And Portland, behind Damian Lillard, continued to pour it on in the final quarter, sending the Warriors to a 137-105 loss at Moda Center and snapping their win streak at 11 games.
The Warriors (48-5) never found any rhythm and looked like a team coming out of the All-Star break. The crisper Blazers (28-27) played with more focus and purpose in winning for the ninth time in 10 games.
What began as a riveting duel between dynamic point guards, Curry of the Warriors and Lillard, became a fabulous exhibition by the Blazers, who played wonderful defense and even better offense – even as Lillard rang up a career-high 51 points in 31 minutes.
Curry led Warriors scorers with 31 points. Klay Thompson tossed in 23 and Green added 14 as the Warriors suffered their most lopsided defeat in the Steve Kerr era.
Portland’s point total is the highest allowed by the Warriors this season and Lillard is the first to score at least 50 against them since Kevin Durant poured in 54 on Jan. 17, 2014.
The loss not only ends the win streak but also reduces, at least temporarily, the constant debate about whether the Warriors can get to 73 wins this season. The Warriors were nine-point favorites, so this most certainly was a setback.
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STANDOUT PERFORMER
And a night the Warriors would like to forget, Curry and Green were the closest things to standouts.
Curry’s line: 31 points (12 of 23 shooting, 7 of 13 from deep), five assists and two steals. He was minus-18 for the game.
Green’s line: 14 points (5 of 7 shooting, 2 of 2 from deep), 12 rebounds and eight assists. He was minus-13.
TURNING POINT
After a Thompson jumper pulled the Warriors within six (77-71) with 8:08 left in the third quarter, Portland responded with a 25-4 run to take a 102-75 lead with 1:23 left in the quarter.
The Warriors, who never led by more than two and trailed most of the way, never got closer than 22 after that.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) is listed as out. C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) is not with the team.
Blazers: No injuries listed.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, where they visit the Clippers at Staples Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:40 p.m.
