Warriors Win Despite First Half Struggles

The Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 125-117 on Wednesday night in an offensive show that was eventually decided by defensive fortitude.

The Blazers provided an unexpected fight, after a few less-than-competitive games against Golden State. On Wednesday, they managed that sans Damian Lillard’s services. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been so surprising: Lillard’s absence meant C.J. McCollum could shoot sans conscience. In the first half, he took full advantage of the opportunity, and of the Warriors. McCollum racked up 26 points on 19 shots as Golden State ceded 71 points over the first two periods.

Source: Ethan Sherwood Strauss of ESPN