The Portland Trail Blazers look to even the series when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday at Moda Center.
The Warriors continue to play without Steph Curry and they really struggled without him in Game 3. In that loss, they got 72 combined points from Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, but got no more than 10 points from anyone else. The defense was lacking as well, with no one seemingly able to cover Damian Lillard.
That loss was the first time that the Warriors had allowed more than 106 points in the postseason and that strong defense has been an underrated asset of this team all season. Curry is currently questionable headed into this matchup, but don’t be surprised to see the MVP suit up with a lot on the line.
The Trail Blazers continue to thrive at home, as they rolled in their home building in Game 3. Lillard was spectacular in that win, as he tallied 40 points and 10 assists. Amazingly, Lillard has at least 40 points in every home game against the Warriors this season.
In addition, the Trail Blazers posted a 29-13 record at Moda Center this season and won nearly every game at home in the second half. Lillard and C.J. McCollum will get theirs in this series, but they need big performances from the likes of Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee if they are to pull out the upset. Look for Golden State to be a projected four-point favorite in this crucial Game 4.
