The Warriors are firmly in control of the Western Conference finals.
Golden State pulled out a 114-111 win over the Trail Blazers on Thursday in a back-and-forth Game 2 at Oracle Arena. The victory gave the Warriors a 2-0 series lead.
The Trail Blazers outplayed Golden State and held a 15-point advantage heading into halftime. But, the Warriors worked their way back into the game by opening the third quarter on a 16-4 run and erased an eight-point deficit with a little less than 4:30 to play in the final period.
14-3 run to close the game helps give the @warriors a 2-0 series lead over Portland in the Western Conference Finals!
— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019
Game 3: Saturday (5/18), 9pm/et, ESPN#StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AQssuAV1g8
The Trail Blazers will host Game 3 on Saturday at the Moda Center.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ Game 2 win.
Andre Iguodala makes a big play when it matters most
Andre Iguodala didn’t have a great game.
The Warriors forward finished with four points on 2-of-6 shooting and missed all three of his 3-point attempts. Yet, he came through for his team when it needed him most.
The Trail Blazers had a final chance to tie the score trailing by three with about 10 seconds remaining. Iguodala, however, stripped the ball away from Damian Lillard as he was attempting a 3-pointer.
Andre Iguodala secures the Game 2 win for the @warriors with the CLUTCH STOP in the final seconds! #StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/F89fO0M4Xr
— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019
Iguodala also chipped in five rebounds and four assists.
Stephen Curry delivers again
Stephen Curry continues to shine with Kevin Durant sidelined.
The star guard was once again phenomenal for Golden State. He finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to carry his team to a win.
Steph goes behind-the-back and hits! 10-0 @warriors run. #StrengthInNumbers 110#RipCity 108
— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019
Less than 1:20 remaining on @ESPNNBA. pic.twitter.com/xXAIDZAnJk
Durant has been out since straining his calf in Golden State's Game 5 win over the Rockets and he is not expected to play in either of the next two matchups.
Without Durant, Curry scored 33 points to help Golden State close out the Rockets and followed that up with 36 points in Game 1 against Portland. The Warriors will need him to continue playing at that level.
Warriors bench makes an impact
The Warriors received unexpected contributions from multiple players off their bench Thursday.
Backup centers Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney combined for 25 points and 10 rebounds in 43 total minutes. Jonas Jerebko grabbed seven boards, as well, while Alfonzo McKinnie hit a key 3-pointer.
This series could be a short one if the Warriors role players continue to make an impact.