OAKLAND – In a game that had every earmark of a preseason finale, the Warriors gave away another second-half lead and took a 90-74 loss to Portland on Thursday night at Oracle Arena.
The play of both teams was sloppy and chaotic and listless, though more emphatically so for the Warriors, who committed 26 fouls and were outrebounded 58-47.
Standout Performances: Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 17 points, with Klay Thompson adding 16. The more salient statistic, however, is that they combined to make only 15 of 42 shots from the floor.
Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, the reigning Rookie of the Year who grew up in Oakland, led all scorers with 21 on 7-of-16 shooting.
Turning Point: The Warriors were undone in the third quarter by horrid shooting, erratic play and silly fouls. During one eight-plus minute stretch, they missed an astonishing 17 consecutive shots.
After holding a 48-41 lead at the half, they went ice-cold in the third quarter as the Blazers rallied behind a balanced attack to outscore the Warriors 25-9. Andrew Bogut picked up three fouls in three minutes, Jermaine O’Neal three in less than nine, sending a steady progression of Portland players to the line. The Blazers made 13 o 14 free throws in the period.
With his starters doing little to cut into the deficit, Warriors coach Mark Jackson raised the white flag midway through the fourth quarter, emptying his bench. He promised minutes for every healthy body, and he delivered.
Injury Update: Power forward David Lee did not play, the result of dental work done earlier in the day. He is expected to practice this weekend and start in the season opener. Small forward Harrison Barnes missed his fourth consecutive game with inflammation in his left foot. Barnes has neither played nor practiced since leaving in the first quarter of the Oct. 7 preseason win over Sacramento.
Next Up: The Warriors will take a break on Friday, then resume practice Saturday through Tuesday in preparation for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers next Wednesday night at Oracle Arena.
