Philippines, 29 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Playoffs -- Warriors stun Blazers with late surge to take 2-0 lead (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com





OAKLAND -- When Myers Leonard drilled a 30-foot 3 to put the Portland Trail Blazers ahead 108-100 with 4:28 to go in Game 2 of the 2019 Western Conference Finals, it appeared that they were about to pull off a giant road heist and knot the best-of-7 series at 1-1

But the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors had other ideas and altered the plot with a 14-3 flurry that allowed them to escape with a narrow 114-111 victory and grab a 2-0 lead over the stunned Blazers on Friday morning (Philippine time) at the jampacked Oracle Arena.

After a tepid start in which they surrendered 65 points at the half and trailed 67-50 early in the third quarter, the Warriors, who are gunning for a historic three consecutive championships, didn't panic and slowly chipped away at their deficit until finally catching up at 89-89 at the end of the third quarter.

"Our experience really paid off for us tonight and having a bunch of guys who just won't quit," Draymond Green told reporters after the huge comeback win. Green barely missed a triple-double effort with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.



Like the Game 1 blowout, Steph Curry led the way, this time courtesy of an all-around masterpiece in which he carved 37 points, eight rebounds and eight dimes. Curry made just four out of 14 3-point attempts, but he shot 11-of-22 from the field overall and swished all 11 of his free throws, including three straight that put Golden State ahead for good, 110-108, with 2:01 to go.

Klay Thompson finished with 24, thanks to a 4-of-8 fare from long distance, while the bench came up strong once again as Kevin Looney got 14 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Bell added 11 for Golden State, which ended up making 42 of their 82 field goals (51.2 percent) and 9-of-29 triples (31 percent).



"Got to find a way to win and that's what we did. Winning plays, everybody contributed. Very exciting way to win. We've got to play better in the first half for sure," a relieved Curry told reporters at the post-game press conference.

Damian Lillard topscored for Portland with 23 points while his backcourt mate, fellow All-Star C.J. McCollum, added 22. They did, however, struggle from the field and combined to make just 15 of their 39 shots. Portland, as a unit, converted just 38 of 86 field goals, a modest 44.2 percent.

"I thought we gave ourselves a chance. We missed some shots. We had some turnovers. Lost the game, but you know, their job was to take care of their home floor, and we've got an opportunity to do the same thing," Lillard said.



Portland head coach Terry Stotts also rued about his team's "lost opportunity" but he also acknowledged the Warriors' poise under pressure. "They played like a championship team would here at home. They made plays in the last three minutes and we didn't."

After a torrid 34-point second quarter, Portland entered the half with a 15-point cushion before solidifying it to 17. And while the Warriors made a terrific fourth quarter run, the Blazers still had that golden opportunity in the waning moments when Seth Curry's 3 put them on top, 111-110, with just 1:03 remaining.

It just wasn't meant to be.

Instead, they head home with a demoralizing 0-2 deficit. Teams down 0-2 in the history of the NBA playoffs have a slim nine percent chance (5-51) of coming back to win the series.

Game 3 is Sunday morning at the Moda Center in Portland.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ponciano Melo Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
    , Wed, 25 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.