The Golden State Warriors did pretty well without MVP Stephen Curry in the lineup. Now that he’s back, the Dubs are ready to do away with any suspense that may be lingering in their series with the Blazers.
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LOOK AHEAD
The big question heading into Monday’s Game 4 was how Stephen Curry would look after a 15-day layoff due to a MCL sprain in his right knee. It took a while to get the answer on his level of play, but a record performance in overtime provided the clearest one possible. Curry didn’t start the game and entered with a rough expectation that he would play 25 minutes.
He did more than just play – he dominated. After shooting 6 of 18 from the field with no three-pointers for 13 points in the first three quarters, Curry caught fire in the fourth and was blistering hot in overtime to finish with 40 points in 37 minutes. Included were 17 points in overtime, including the Warriors’ first 12, for a new NBA record for extra-period scoring. If there were any doubt about his health before OT, Curry silenced it. And he likely silenced Portland’s chances of pulling off an upset in this series.
INJURIES
Curry was originally listed as questionable to play on Monday night and didn’t get final clearance until after he went through his normal warm-up routine about 90 minutes before the game. Then he delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his seven-year pro career. Coach Steve Kerr opened his postgame presser saying that Curry will start on Wednesday.
KEY MATCHUP
The plan was to work Curry into the game slowly, get his legs under him, and have him ready for Game 5. The strategy backfired when Shaun Livingston, who had been starting in Curry’s place, was ejected in the second quarter after arguing a call and picking up two technical fouls. That forced Curry to pick up a heavier workload in the second half.
Kerr wanted to get Curry about 25 minutes, but the ejection of Livingston changed everything. And Curry was ready. He started poorly, missing his first nine three-point attempts, but once he heated up, the Blazers were doomed. Curry scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and the Warriors’ first dozen points – and 17 of their 21 – in the extra frame. He also made five of his last seven shots from beyond the arc. “It took me a while to get in the flow,” Curry said. And once he did, the Blazers could do nothing to stop him.
QUICK PICK
It’s not like the Blazers have been blown out in this series. They led the defending champs at the intermission for the third straight game. And just like in Game 2, they wilted under the relentless pressure of the Warriors in the fourth quarter and into overtime on Monday. They hung around even when Damian Lillard missed 21 of his 30 field goal attempts and backcourt mate C.J. McCollum wasn’t much better.
But the Warriors showed us why they are the champs and the favorite to repeat. With the league’s top offensive weapon in top form, Golden State looks like a good bet to clinch a spot in the West finals in Wednesday’s Game 5.
NBA Odds: Golden State 118, Portland 107
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