The Golden State Warriors couldn’t have asked for a much better
chance. After stinking up the Rose Garden for most of Saturday
evening, they had the ball in the hands of their star player with
eight seconds left and one-point deficit. Just about any team would
take that deal, especially on the road. But guard Monta Ellis’
fadeaway from about 20 feet on the right wing clanked, giving the
Warriors a 96-95 defeat.
PORTLAND, Ore.
The Golden State Warriors couldn’t have asked for a much better chance.
After stinking up the Rose Garden for most of Saturday evening, they had the ball in the hands of their star player with eight seconds left and one-point deficit. Just about any team would take that deal, especially on the road.
But guard Monta Ellis’ fadeaway from about 20 feet on the right wing clanked, giving the Warriors a 96-95 defeat.
The game seemed to be one that was ripe for the Warriors’ to take. Sure, they were missing starting point guard Stephen Curry (ankle) and starting center Andris Biedrins (ankle). But Portland was down three starters—guard Brandon Roy (knee), small forward Nicolas Batum (shoulder), and center Marcus Camby (shoulder) — and a key reserve in center Joel Pryzbilla.
Despite Portland’s shorthanded roster, Golden State couldn’t get much going. Ellis finished with 26 points on 9-for-20 shooting to go with five assists, three steals and seven turnovers.
David Lee had 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting with 11 rebounds for the Warriors. Small forward Dorell Wright and swingman Reggie Williams combined for 28 points on 11-for-28 shooting.
Still, the Warriors nearly stole the game. After a 3-pointer by Portland guard Patty Mills, the former Saint Mary’s College standout, Golden State trailed 86-71 with 7:54 left. But 4 minutes, 40 seconds later, the Warriors trailed by just three.
Rodney Carney capped an 18-6 run by knocking down a three-pointer, the Warriors fourth of the spurt. Golden State trailed 92-89 with 3:14 remaining.
The deficit was 96-93 after a Williams turnaround from close range with 2:02 left. Ellis had a chance to tie the game, but his shot bounced out after he got the whistle. His two free throws had the Warriors within a point, 96-95.
The Warriors then got the stop they needed, with Vladimir Radmanovic blocking Wesley Matthews’ attempt and LaMarcus Aldridge missing a jumper.
That gave the Warriors the ball with eight seconds left and a chance to win, which was fortuitous considering how mightily they struggled most of the game. Before the fourth-quarter surge, they could get little going offensively.
The Warriors finished with 44.4-percent shooting and 18 turnovers. They were outscored in fast break points 17-8.
Golden State led 36-35 after a runner in the lane by Carney at the 4:41 mark. But the Warriors closed out the first half by missing six of their nine shots and turning over the ball three times. Blazers guard Andre Miller scored eight points during a 16-6 Portland run to close the second quarter.
The Warriors trailed 51-42 at the half, putting themselves in position for one of their usual third-quarter bursts despite allowing 55 percent shooting and shooting just 37.8 percent with nine turnovers themselves in the opening 24 minutes.
But the Warriors were unable to dent into Portland’s lead in the third quarter. Seven more turnovers and a change of tide on the boards stunted the Warriors’ chances for closing the gap.
The Warriors trailed 62-54 halfway through the third quarter. But a 7-0 run created some separation for Portland. After an Aldridge jumper, a bad pass by Lee led to a 3-pointer for Rudy Fernandez. Lee missed a jumper the next time down, and Portland answered with a Wesley Matthews dunk, putting the Warriors behind 69-54.
Golden State was doing well to be down 74-65 entering the fourth quarter.
Note: With Biedrins out, coach Keith Smart started Lou Amunsdon. . . . Carney returned to action after missing six games with a sprained left foot. He scored 10 points in 19 minutes off the bench.
— Story by Marcus Thompson, Contra Costa Times
