Warriors 103, Trail Blazers 88

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors snapped out of a defensive slump, holding the Portland Trail Blazers to a season-low scoring total en route to a 103-88 victory Sunday night.

After surrendering 121 or more points in three of their previous five games and then watching the Trail Blazers put up 55 in the first half Sunday, the Warriors outscored Portland 37-10 over a 17-minute stretch bridging the third and fourth quarters to take command and snap a two-game losing streak.

The Trail Blazers, who were playing the second half of a back-to-back after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, entered the game as the league’s highest scoring team at 109.5 points per game. They were held under 100 points just three times in their previous 31 contests, and they failed to score 90 for the first time all season.

After trailing by as many as seven in the first half and 55-54 at halftime, the Warriors tightened the defensive screws in the third quarter, limiting the Trail Blazers to 12 points on 3-for-20 shooting.

Golden State (27-18) also forced seven Portland turnovers in the quarter, during which the Warriors outscored the visitors 22-12 to open a 76-67 advantage.

The defensive dominance didn’t end there. Power forward David Lee had a pair of baskets as Golden State opened the fourth period on a 15-2 run that broke the game open at 91-69 with just over seven minutes to play.

The Trail Blazers wound up shooting 33.7 percent (28 of 83) , including just 22.8 percent (eight of 35) in the second half.

Point guard Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 38 points, hitting 13 of 23 shots overall and five of eight 3-point attempts.

Lee (17 points, 12 rebounds) and forward Andre Iguodala (12 points, 10 rebounds) backed Curry with double-doubles, and shooting guard Klay Thompson added 17 points.

Shooting guard Wesley Matthews led Portland (33-12) with 21 points.

Trail Blazers stars Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge both struggled big-time. Lillard, the point guard, missed 11 of his 16 shots in a 16-point night, while Aldridge managed a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double despite shooting just 2-for-14.

Aldridge did extend his streak of double-figure scoring to 67 games, but he didn’t collect his 10th point until making a free throw with 4:04 to go.

Playing their fifth game in seven nights, the Trail Blazers fought to the end despite trailing by 22 in the fourth quarter. They got within 94-85 with almost three minutes to play, but Curry capped his big night with a jumper and a 3-pointer to provide a cushion the Warriors embraced the rest of the way.

NOTES: Trail Blazers All-Star PF LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 21 rebounds in each of his previous two games against the Warriors. … The Blazers started the lineup of PG Damian Lillard, SG Wesley Matthews, SF Nicolas Batum, Aldridge and C Robin Lopez for the 45th consecutive time. They are the only team in the league to have had the same starting lineup in every game. … Noting the team’s lack of injuries this season, Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts noted, “Chemistry is probably our greatest strength.” … The Warriors improved to 5-1 when entering a game on a two-game losing streak. The lone loss came Nov. 23 against visiting Portland. The Trail Blazers’ win that day was just the third in their past 18 visits to Oakland, through Sunday.