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Shorthanded but not short on effort, the Portland Trail Blazers took on the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in a game that wouldn’t be decided until the final minutes. The Trail Blazers got down early in the first quarter but responded by taking a 2-point half time lead.
However, with no Damian Lillard, the Warriors were able to key in on CJ McCollum in the third quarter and keep him mostly off the scoreboard. With McCollum neutralized, the Warriors took control of the game and built enough of a lead to dictate the pace. The Trail Blazers made one final push but fell short under the barrage of three pointers levied by the Warriors, 125-117.
The first half was all about the McCollum cooking show:
Warriors 40, Blazers 34 - End 1: CJ McCollum has 14 points, feels like more.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) January 5, 2017
CJ McCollum dropped TWENTY SIX points in the first half
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 5, 2017
Blazers 71
Warriors 69#NBAVote pic.twitter.com/iDeBN8Sta2
McCollum unseats both Rasheed Wallace and Rudy Fernandez for 10th most three-pointers in franchise history.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) January 5, 2017
The second half saw the Warriors come to life:
Stotts talked at shootaround about weathering Golden State's runs. Now's the time.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) January 5, 2017
Warriors 99, Blazers 92 - End 3: McCollum 28 points (2 in the 3rd), Crabbe 16pts, Plumlee 12pts. Curry 28pts, Durant 27.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) January 5, 2017
Warriors Forward Kevin Durant on CJ McCollum:
Kevin Durant on Trail Blazers' shooting guard: "@CJMcCollum is a hell of a player. Amazing player. One of the best players in our league."
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 5, 2017
Head coach Terry Stotts on the Trail Blazers’ effort:
Mason Plumlee on the Trail Blazers’ being in the game until the end:
The Trail Blazers (15-22) have a chance to shake off last night’s loss rather quickly with a matchup against the Los Angles Lakers (13-25) tonight in Portland. Recently announce, Damian Lillard is expected to return to the starting line up.
Damian Lillard has been upgraded to probable for tonight vs. Los Angeles. All signs point to him playing.
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) January 5, 2017
Blazer’s Edge Night 2017
Want to assist us in sending 2,000+ underprivileged Portland-area kids to a Trail Blazers game this spring? Check out Blazer’s Edge Night 2017 for information on how to get involved, and help spread the word!