With the stunning Sidi Sissoko, Portland pulls off a Golden State heist!

Sidi Sissoko, back in the lead, starts the match with a dunk on the first possession. Returning to the Chase Center after six away appearances, v Warriors struggling to find their rhythm. After seven minutes of play, they have scored as many points (4) as they have turnovers, and the duo of Donovan Klingan (22 points, 10 rebounds) and Danny Avdia gives Portland a nine-length advantage (19-10). The entry of Brandin Podziemski (20 points) wakes up Golden State, but they were punished by six offensive rebounds by the Blazers (35-28).

The Warriors defense finally gets into the game to start the second quarter. On the other side, Podziemski and Jimmy Butler (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) live at the free throw line, and 15-5 puts Golden State ahead (43-40). The skill of Tumani Kamara (20 points, 7 rebounds) and Caleb Love liven up the Blazers, but Stephen Curry also sets the tone. The two-time MVP makes five of five from distance in four minutes and the Warriors return to the locker room at +7 (72-65).

Sidi Cissoko and Caleb Love, The X Factors

The curry fest continues after the break, but the Blazers hang on. Two triples by Sidi Sissok and the work of Danny Avdia and Donovan Klingon, both already in double-doubles, allow Portland to limit the damage (90-84). Tiago Splitter’s men continue to dominate in the offensive rebound, and seven points in a row by the ultra-aggressive Cissok brings Portland back to -1 (97-96)!

The good performance of the Blazers was logically rewarded. Tumanii Kamara’s 3-pointer, followed by Caleb Love’s layup with 24 seconds left, gave Portland a seven-point lead at a stunned Chase Center (109-102). Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry is the one reviving Golden State. As soon as he returned to the court, he hit a 3-pointer and followed up with an acrobatic layup to bring the Warriors back within one possession.

The Dubs defense, however, is still absent. Unable to sustain shots or rebounds, they let Danny Avdia and Caleb Love put Portland up +4 with less than a minute to play (122-118). Stephen Curry then tried everything for everything, but the Blazers held on for a well-deserved victory.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Playing with fire, the Warriors ended up getting burned. Despite the great Stephen Curry, Golden State often underestimated its opponent. Despite numerous absences, the Blazers managed to win by playing twice as hard as their opponent. Golden State’s defense offered no resistance in one-on-one situations, was late with assists and was eaten up on rebounds. The Blazers grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and scored 28 second-chance points. Danny Avdia was excellent, and Caleb Love was on fire to end the match and achieve a personal best.

A record night for Sidi Cissoko. The Frenchman from the Blazers played the eighth game with more than ten minutes to play and took the opportunity to set his record for points in a match! He scored 11 of his 15 points in the third quarter to help his team get back into the game. Aggressive with the ball in hand, altruistic, Cissoko has the confidence of his coach and plays fair. He finished the match with the best +/- of the match.

Portland and Denver choose the option. Winners in Houston and Golden State, the Blazers and Nuggets gained the upper hand in the group of death. The Warriors, who lost to both teams, can no longer reach the quarterfinals. The Rockets are also at a disadvantage despite a win against Portland.

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.