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Green ‘probable’ as Golden State Warriors prepare for scorching Lillard

By Peter O'Keefe

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are expected to regain Draymond Green for another vitally important matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. The veteran forward has missed two straight games with a knee contusion, though the reigning champions have managed to win both in his absence.

Green is ‘probable’ for the clash against the Damian Lillard-led Trail Blazers, with the game presenting as another crucial one in the teams’ playoff chances. Golden State are 31-30 and seventh in the Western Conference, while Portland are 29-31 and sitting 11th.

Keeping a scorching hot Damian Lillard quiet will be critical to the Golden State Warriors’ hopes of beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.

Lillard set the NBA world alight on Sunday with an outrageous 71-point display against the lowly Houston Rockets. He finished 13-for-22 from three-point range on the night, falling just short of Klay Thompson’s NBA record of 14. While it may have been Lillard’s signature performance, the Trail Blazers’ superstar has been on a tear in recent times. He’s averaged an absurd 40 points across his last ten games, shooting over 50% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc.

The Warrior defense will have their hands full with Lillard, although the return of their former Defensive Player of the Year should aid in their pursuits of keeping him quiet. Despite Green’s absence, the Golden State defense got on top during the fourth-quarter of Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The hosts kept Anthony Edwards to just 12 points on 5-for-19 shooting, and conceded only 17 points to the Timberwolves in the final period as they overcame a double-digit deficit.

While Green may return, the Warriors will still be without Andrew Wiggins due to personal reasons. Veterans Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala remain out, along with former Trail Blazer Gary Payton II.

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Portland have won just three of their past eight games, although one of those include a 125-122 win over Golden State on February 8. The Warrior offense failed to fire in the closing minutes on that night, going five minutes without scoring across the last six minutes. The reigning champions had won the four previous matchups, including a 118-112 victory at Chase Center back on December 30.

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