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Team Overviews
The Warriors put their incredible home win streak on the line as Portland head into town. The last time both teams met, Damian Lillard dropped 51 points (a career high) on Golden State.
With the exception of Festus Ezeli, our team will be present and accounted for. Andre Iguodala makes his return after missing 3 games due to a hamstring injury. The Dubs are coming off a great 115-94 victory over the Utah Jazz last Wednesday night. Klay Thompson had 23 points and Stephen Curry dropped a modest 12 points. Our bench on the other hand stole the show scoring almost half the points against the Jazz.
The Trail Blazers are looking to play spoiler and be the team that will give Golden State their first home loss of the season. They pulled off a huge win over the Dubs a few weeks ago in Portland and look to do it again in Oakland. They're coming off a 116-109 overtime victory against the Washington Wizards last Tuesday night. Damian Lillard's averaging 26.1 points again and is in 3rd place behind Klay Thompson with 182 3-pointers this season.
Key to the game: You gotta play it perfect.
Let's put the our last meeting with the Blazers to rest and avoid the pitfalls we made that cost us the game in Portland. It's simple: We need to play with confidence and avoid those nasty turnovers. Let's make every effort to score count and attack the rim with poise. If we can pull out a near perfect game as a unit, call it a night fellas, we've earned that "W."
Highlight Predictions:
- Stephen Curry vs Damian Lillard: You've got the league MVP going head to head with the Hometown hero born and raised in Oakland, CA. It doesn't get better than this on a Friday night. Their eyes will be on the prize and the fans will be treated to an incredible match up!
- Mo' Buckets from the 3-point line: We're seeing a lot more confidence in Mo' Speights as of late. He's making critical baskets that count. Speights is also attempting shots on the 3-point line... and making them! Is he the teams unofficial 4th Splash Brother? Let's see what contributions he provides tonight!
- The Draymond Factor: He's averaging 13.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. His contributions fill up stat charts and our win column for Golden State. I am predicting Green will have a great performance against the Blazers on the Warriors home court.
- Off the bench extravaganza: Our bench has come through in more ways than one. It's anybody's game on any given night. Wednesday night, Leandro Barbosa and Mo Speights combined for 29 points off the bench. 53 points total from the whole bench unit in their win over Utah. This is the added firepower we're going to need heading into the playoffs.
Win Prediction: I'm predicting this will go down as a hard fought battle. In the end, I wouldn't have it any other way but with a Warriors victory!
ICYMI: (Posts from GSoM)
Rant: Oracle Arena ain't what it used to be... and that's a good thing
Warriors return to normalcy after Jazz blowout
Golden State Warriors versus Utah Jazz final score: Warriors re-find themselves, 115-94
That time my Golden State Warriors 2009 draft shirt went viral