Philippines, 29 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Playoffs -- Lost opportunities doom Blazers against Warriors (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




PORTLAND -- On paper, the 2019 Western Conference Finals appears to be a notably one-sided battle dominated by the reigning and two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, who are on the verge of sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers.

Although the Warriors have outscored the Blazers by a total of 340-304 through three games, or by an average of 12 points per, this best-of seven set is really much closer than you think. In fact, this could have been 2-1 in favor of Portland by now.

Unfortunately, the Blazers couldn't protect the solid,double-digit leads they painstakingly built in their last two defeats.

In Game 2, they were up 65-50 at halftime. And even though the Warriors fought back ferociously, Portland still had 108-100 cushion with only 4:08 to go in the fourth quarter. The Warriors then went on a devastating 14-3 spurt the rest of the way to claim Game 2, 114-111.



In today's Game 3, the Blazers jumped on the Warriors early, and when Seth Curry made a deep 27-foot 3, their lead ballooned to 60-42 with only 2:28 left before the half. Again, the Blazers failed to capitalize and watched their lead completely evaporate when the Warriors went on a 29-13 third quarter run which left Portland behind by three, 82-79, entering the fourth quarter.

Even in the Game 1 blowout, the Blazers were in it and trailed by just six points --- 77-71 -- at the end of three quarters before the Warriors would eventually pull away with a blistering 39-point fourth quarter.



Under head coach Terry Stotts and with the leadership of two All-Stars in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the Blazers have proven that they can compete with powerhouse Golden State. What they haven't shown, unfortunately, is the ability to protect a lead and use it as an impetus to win a game.

"They stay calm and they don't really get rattled," Portland center Zach Collins told The Oregonian about those resilient Warriors, who have taken Portland's best punch so far and have somehow remained standing at 3-0 and one game away from a fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

The Warriors have embodied grace under pressure and courage under fire. And that's why they are the two-time defending champions gunning for their third straight title, a historic feat last accomplished by the 2000-02 Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

The Blazers, meanwhile, only have themselves to blame for missing out on golden opportunities. Game 3's 18-point lead at home probably hurts the most. Realistically, Portland could have been on top of this series 2-1, or at the very least down just 1-2.

Instead, they head into Game 4 at the Moda Center on Monday (Tuesday morning in Manila) facing elimination. (RG)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Gallardo.


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.