Kevin Durant Goes Off But Warriors Lose in Portland
By Andrew Ites
Kevin Durant dropped 50 points on the Blazers on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough for the Warriors to pick up a win in Portland.
Durant was just four points shy of reaching his career-high. He hit a three-pointer to potentially bring Golden State to within one point late in the game, but he stepped on the sideline so the shot didn’t count.
The Warriors continued their awful habit of digging themselves a huge hole in the first quarter by allowing 40 points to the Blazers in the first period tonight. Golden State closed the gap with a fantastic third quarter, but Portland’s lead was ultimately too large to overcome.
Durant finished the night with 50 points, which was his highest total as a Warrior, on 17/27 shooting including 6/14 from three-point land. He also dished 6 assists, grabbed 7 rebounds and blocked 2 shots to fill out the stat sheet.
The Warriors had no answer for Damien Lillard tonight as he dropped 44 points with 18 of those coming in the first quarter.
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Steph Curry had an off shooting night going just 3/10 from three, but he still managed to score 17 points with 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Draymond Green had an incredible night with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. And Klay Thompson chipped in with 17 points.
The Warriors used a small lineup for most of the game as Zaza, JaVale McGee and Kevon Looney combined to play just 12 minutes.
Steve Kerr was extremely irritated by his team’s effort during his first quarter interview. Even in their wins over the past couple weeks the first quarter has been a major problem, and it cost them tonight.
With the Warriors’ loss, Houston took control as the number one seed in the West heading into All-Star weekend.
Hopefully the All-Star break will bring Golden State’s coaches and players some much-needed rest, and they will come out of it energized for the final stretch of the regular season.