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SPORTS Saturday 18 May 2019
Warriors rally from 15 down

at halftime, hold off Blazers

By JANIE McCAULEY Seth Curry, Steph’s little en series is Saturday night
AP Sports Writer brother, scored 16 points at Portland.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — and put Portland ahead “We did play a much bet-
These Golden State War- on a 3-pointer with 1:03 ter game at both ends of
riors have long been able left before Kevon Looney’s the floor tonight. We’ve got
to score in fabulous, jaw- dunk on the other end put to take that into Game 3,”
dropping flurries. Down by Golden State back on top Stotts said. “It is a lost op-
eight to the Portland Trail at 112-111. Seth tried to portunity, no question. We
Blazers at home with 4½ “distract” his brother at the had a chance to get one
minutes to go, they need- free throw line late, or so here on the road.”
ed every last burst, perfect the story went from Steph, Green made a pretty
pass, driving layup and who called Seth a “pest” bounce pass through the
dunk. on defense. paint to a cutting Iguoda-
“Our experience really “This was like the cool- la for a dunk with 3:06 left
paid off for us tonight hav- est experience I think I’ve to make it 108-105, then
ing a bunch of guys who ever had playing against Green assisted on a layup
just won’t quit,” said Dray- him. You talk about the by Looney the next posses-
mond Green, who was right stage, he was amazing to- sion.
smack in the middle of it all. night,” Stephen Curry said. “Draymond’s been spe-
Stephen Curry scored 37 “For my parents, I know cial all playoffs,” Thompson
points, and the Warriors we’ve talked about it the said. “... When he goes, we
rallied from a 15-point half- whole series, these last two go. He was tremendous to-
time deficit before holding games it’s probably nerve- night.”
off Portland on the final wracking as heck for them. Green had 16 points, 10 re-
possession for a 114-111 win It worked out perfectly to- bounds, seven assists and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots next to
Thursday night and a 2-0 night. He played well and five blocked shots playing Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the first half
lead in the Western Confer- we won.” with foul trouble. His seven of Game 2 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference
ence finals. Stephen Curry shot 11 for straight playoff games with finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 16, 2019.
Golden State coach Steve 22 and made all 11 of his at least 10 rebounds are a Associated Press
Kerr insisted his team stole free throws — three with career high. the third to get his team of a fifth straight trip to the
this game with a sensation- 2:01 left — to post his third “We’ve been here before,” back within 69-58 then NBA Finals.
al final few minutes and an- straight 30-point perfor- Green said. “When you’re Thompson hit two straight Portland showed it made
other, familiar third-quarter mance while Splash Brother on a run like we’re currently 3s. adjustments from Game
outburst. Klay Thompson needed a in, you’ve seen everything. The Blazers had built a 65- 1 and brought it on both
Counterpart Terry Stotts of half to heat up, scoring 13 Down eight points with 50 halftime lead, capitaliz- ends from the opening tip
the Trail Blazers considered of his 24 points in the War- what, four minutes to go, or ing on 10 Warriors turnovers after the Blazers had regu-
it a “lost opportunity” on riors’ 39-point third period. whatever it was, just got to for 18 points. larly left Curry wide open on
the road. It was reminiscent of those keep going, because we Then two of the top back- the perimeter off the pick-
CJ McCollum missed a driv- old third-quarter runs that know we can erase eight courts in the Western Con- and-roll and he scored 36
ing jumper with 32 seconds have defined this group. points.” ference went at it in an points while matching his
left and Green scored on McCollum scored 22 points The Warriors missed Kevin entertaining final two quar- postseason high with nine
the other end for the War- for Portland and Lillard Durant for a third straight ters. The game was tied at 3-pointers.
riors, giving Portland one overcame a slow start to game because of a 89 to start the fourth. “We’ve got to bring that
final chance with 12.3 sec- add 23 points and 10 assists strained right calf and he The Warriors already got same energy at home,”
onds to go. Andre Iguoda- as the Blazers looked far isn’t likely to return at all this past James Harden and McCollum said, “under-
la then blocked a 3-point more in sync than in a 116- round. Chris Paul in the last round stand that this is the first time
attempt by Damian Lillard 94 defeat two days earlier. Curry scored Golden — now it’s McCollum and in 19 years we’ve been in
on the left wing. Game 3 in the best-of-sev- State’s first eight points of Lillard standing in the way the conference final.”q

Giannis, George finalists for NBA MVP and defensive award

NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis in the Eastern Conference The other award finalists:
Antetokounmpo and Paul finals. Oklahoma City was Rookie of the Year: Dean-
George have a chance eliminated in the first round dre Ayton, Phoenix; Luka
to be both the NBA’s MVP as George struggled with a Doncic, Dallas; Trae Young,
and its Defensive Player of shoulder injury that eventu- Atlanta.
the Year. ally required surgery. Sixth Man Award: Montrezl
Reigning MVP James Hard- The other finalist for the Harrell and Lou Williams,
en is the other finalist for league’s top defensive Clippers; Domantas Sabo-
the league’s top award. award was Utah’s Rudy nis, Indiana.
The NBA announced three Gobert, who won the Coach of the Year: Mike
finalists for six individual award last year. Budenholzer, Milwaukee;
award categories Friday, The winners will be an- Michael Malone, Denver;
based on voting results nounced June 24 during Doc Rivers, Clippers.
from a panel of sportswrit- the NBA Awards, when LeB- Most Improved Player:
ers and broadcasters. Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) tries to chase down ron James will finish outside De’Aaron Fox, Sacra-
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during
Antetokounmpo led Mil- the first half in Game 1 of the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern the top three of the MVP mento; D’Angelo Russell,
waukee to the best record Conference final in Milwaukee on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. voting for just the second Brooklyn; Pascal Siakam,
in the league and a berth Associated Press time in the past 11 years. Toronto.q