Golden State started off quickly, getting their three point shooters open quickly for easy buckets. Portland had several good shots but failed to capitalize.
Portland managed some penetration, but not enough to stop the Warriors who managed to run right through them and lead by three at halftime, 69-51.
In this article, we will discuss the most important things of Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats.
Golden State Warriors:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Point Guard | Stephen Curry |
| Shooting Guard | Andrew Wiggins |
| Small Forward | Jonathan Kuminga |
| Power Forward | Draymond Green |
| Center | Trayce Jackson-Davis |
Portland Trail Blazers:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Point Guard | Scoot Henderson |
| Shooting Guard | Anfernee Simons |
| Small Forward | Deni Avdija |
| Power Forward | Jerami Grant |
| Center | Deandre Ayton |
Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson stands a good chance of becoming one of the more accomplished young backup guards in the league, but in order to do so he must limit his mistakes and increase efficiency. At 20 years old he can sometimes play too freely, leading to some unpredictable performances; but now he appears to be finding his niche as second unit scorer/facilitator; his solid defensive game should help limit turnovers unlike before.
Deni Avdija made an early statement by staying in front of his man on defense and setting up shooters from the middle of the floor on offense, which allowed the Blazers to dominate this first quarter by pounding inside and forcing the Warriors into helping defense – giving more chances for three-point shots from open spots on their perimeter. Henderson led his team with 22 first half points while Buddy Hield and Andrew Wiggins each scored 12 in that time period.
After an initially slow start, the Blazers eventually found their footing in the second quarter. Henderson, Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant began to find their rhythm while Steph Curry began heating up and Buddy Hield was hitting some shots from beyond the perimeter. Unfortunately for them though, Steph Curry caught up and eventually won out as Buddy Hield kept firing away from distance.
Late in the second quarter, several turnovers by the Blazers proved costly as the Warriors took an overwhelming 62-50 advantage into halftime. After taking advantage of Blazer mistakes and keeping them off balance in third period play, Warriors’ strength came shining through to keep Blazers at bay and take full control of game play.
The Warriors were able to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, pulling away from an injury-depleted Trail Blazers squad led by Scoot Henderson, Rayan Rupert, Duop Reath and Deandre Ayton who caused plenty of havoc for the Warriors.
Deni Avdija
The Golden State Warriors started off their season strong against an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers side, dominating them 88-64 with a balanced attack from starters and bench alike. Additionally, they did an excellent job taking care of the ball while giving shooters plenty of opportunities to shoot into the paint.
Steph Curry returned from preseason after suffering a sprained index finger and initially struggled to hit his shots, however in the second quarter his shooting started coming together and led the Warriors on an impressive run that propelled them ahead.
Avdija scored 14 points in the first half and added seven rebounds and two assists, as well as playing solid defense which is vital for small forwards. Avdija is known for being a natural feel player who excels at passing, scoring from outside as well as scoring close to the rim; therefore he fits seamlessly with both small forwards or power forwards positions.
Avdija may not be an overwhelming scorer, but his style fits nicely into the Blazers’ new mantras. He can contribute to their second unit while being an effective defensive presence. Avdija has plenty of potential and should continue developing throughout this season.
Avdija is an invaluable addition for the Blazers and has the potential to become their starting small forward. He can play alongside both Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe in the backcourt, providing extra offense while compensating for their defensive deficiencies. Avdija is well suited to their style of play, and may turn out to be an above-average NBA player.
The Golden State Warriors are one of the elite teams in the NBA, perennially challenging for championships each season. Led by talented core players such as Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, these Warriors rank fifth in offensive efficiency; this indicates how effectively they work as a unit to create opportunities for teammates.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton is an impressive big man who thrives when in possession of the ball and can create his own shots. His passing ability for someone of his size is excellent and transition running is comfortable for him. Unfortunately, Deandre’s defense needs improvement as he tends to turn over possession often while not always providing adequate coverage against opposing small forwards.
He is an outstanding rebounder for his position and can block some shots as well. Additionally, he excels at finishing around the basket and scoring off penetration while also being adept at defending three-point lines well. Unfortunately, however, his game suffers due to inconsistency; at times his shot can become inconsistent; and free throw shooting needs improvement.
On Saturday night, DeAndre Ayton played an instrumental part in helping the Suns beat Dallas Mavericks. He registered a double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds – playing many minutes while being successful against Dallas’ interior defense.
Portland is an upstart team that can keep Golden State on their toes. Their young roster boasts talented players that can create plays at the rim, playing with passion. Portland may take advantage of Golden State’s inability to defend three-point lines to take down Golden State.
Throughout the first half, both teams traded baskets as they established their styles of play. While Portland looked to drive into the lane whenever possible, Golden State’s shooters kept finding open shots and opened up a 7-point lead at halftime.
The second half was much closer, with both teams trading blows with each other. Anfernee Simons and Deni Avdija made some strong drives towards the basket for the Blazers; however, Klay Thompson scored several dunks for the Warriors to keep things tight throughout.
Jabari Walker
The Trail Blazers are coming off of an impressive win against the Pelicans and will look to continue that trend in this game. Their roster features strong talent with some gaps here and there on defense and offense; however, Matisse Thybulle remains out with knee issues for at least three to four weeks while they need additional frontcourt depth as well.
Jabari Walker may serve as one of the players to replace Thybulle during his absence. Walker has been an integral member of the Trail Blazers this season, averaging seven points and four rebounds in five appearances – providing reliable options to his team while seeking to increase scoring production.
Walker made his return on Saturday and should be ready for Friday’s game as planned. After being upgraded from questionable status to probable, this should bode well for the Blazers as they will need him to score points and rebound to compete with Warriors for a playoff berth.
He can do so against a Warriors squad that has struggled defensively this season, giving up 53.6 points per game to opposing teams — the highest mark in Western Conference. Luckily, Trail Blazers players have been successful at deflecting many attacks that come their way, leading them off quickly this year.
In the first half, the Trail Blazers kept pace with the Warriors by shooting evenly and maintaining closeness on offense and defense. Scoot Henderson and Deandre Ayton excelled at getting into the paint, while Duop Reath and Anfernee Simons provided great defense stops. But in the second quarter, Golden State pulled ahead through superior shooting and ball movement to gain an advantage and secure victory.
In the third quarter, the Trail Blazers mounted a comeback and reduced the Warriors’ lead by three points at halftime. In the fourth quarter, however, with help from Moses Moody and Quinten Post, they managed to stay close and maintain that deficit until its eventual collapse in overtime.
