NFL
By: Christopher Jordan
Damian Lillard hit a deep 3-pointer with 13.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give Portland Trail Blazers a hard-fought 108-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
Lillard and Carmelo Anthony both had 22 points for the Blazers. Anthony kept the game close with his excellent play throughout the game. Lillard struggled from the field throughout the game, but when it was time to be great, Lillard was sensational late in the fourth quarter.
Stephen Curry had 35 points for the Warriors. Curry hit a clutch three-pointer that gives the Warriors a 101-96 lead with 3:57 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Dame Lillard hit a three that tied the game up at 103-all. In the next possession, Draymond Green hit a three-pointer that gave his team a three-point lead.
At that moment in the game, Damion Lillard took over. He hit two- clutch free throws to give his team within one- point. On the Blazers’ next possession, Lillard hit a 29-footer to give the Blazers a 108-106 lead with 13.7 seconds left in the game.
Lillard took a charge from Green, even though Dame was not in the restricted area. Green wanted the officials to review the unsuccessful play, and Portland won their second straight game after a four-game losing streak.
Coming into this game, all eyes were on the matchup between Curry and Lillard. Who are the top-tier point guards in the NBA?
Both Curry and Lillard are long-range snippers, and they have both revolutionized the game of basketball.
Curry and Lillard both came into the game almost averaging 30 points per game. Curry at 29.5 and Lillard at 29.6. They both are top-five scoring leaders in the NBA.
The Warriors came out with a 15-2 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Blazers couldn’t score in their first couple possessions of the game. The Blazers got some stops and made some shots to tie the game at 26 in the first quarter.
Curry had 16 points in the first quarter and 23 points at the half. Throughout the second half of the game, both teams battled until the fourth quarter’s last possession.
The Blazers were coming off a victory over the Charlotte Hornets 123-111 on Monday, while Golden State was going off a bad loss against the Los Angeles Lakers 117-91 on Sunday.
This match was the third and final meeting between the two teams. They split the previous two games, with Portland winning the first meeting, and the second time they meet Curry dropped 62 points. Curry set his new career-high against the Blazers.
You knew it would be a nail-biter, and this game did not disappoint.
The Warriors visit the Phoenix Suns tonight.
The Trail Blazers host the Sacramento Kings tonight.
