Things are coming together very nicely for the Golden State Warriors. With just 12 games left in their regular season, the Warriors (57-13) are slowly but surely tightening that grip on the best record – and homecourt advantage – in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Portland Trail Blazers, who are falling apart (literally and figuratively) just as the playoffs are closing in.
Can the Blazers (or what’s left of them) get it together on their home floor and stun the NBA’s best team? Read on for our preview of this big Western Conference clash. Speaking of which, don’t forget to check out our preview of Tuesday’s All-Texas showdown with the Spurs vs. Mavericks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview
Where: Moda Center, Portland
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors kept winning with Klay Thompson out of the lineup for three games with an ankle sprain, and they kept winning with him back in it. The Warriors demolished the Washington Wizards, 107-76, upon Thompson’s return on Monday to complete the sweep of their six-game home stand. Their average margin of victory in their six-game win streak was 19 points.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Warriors may be near-unbeatable at home, but they’ve had their share of hiccups on the road. They’re just 4-4 in their last eight games away from the Oracle, including particularly bad losses at Brooklyn and at Denver. Those are their only two losses in 14 games thus far in March. They’ve gone just 7-7 against the spread this month.
But Golden State has a golden opportunity to improve on that record as it faces a Blazers team absolutely decimated by injuries. The Warriors’ league-best defense (according to defensive efficiency) in particular should have a much easier time corralling the Portland’s offense without its leading scorer, Aldridge.
The Warriors’ uncanny depth will also be a significant factor in keeping the pressure on for the entire game against the very shorthanded Blazers. The Warriors’ second unit has averaged close to 49 points in its last four games.
The Warriors will be on a second night of a back-to-back, where they’ve turned it on even more in recent games. They’ve won their last three back-to-backs against the Suns, Knicks and Jazz by 18, 31 and 15 points, respectively.
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Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers’ snakebitten season is going from bad to worse. After opening up a recent five-game road trip with a win at Toronto, the Blazers dropped their next four in a row to the Wizards (105-97), Heat (108-104), Magic (111-104) and Grizzlies (97-86).
LaMarcus Aldridge had back-to-back 30-point performances against the two Florida teams in a losing effort. Aldridge has been remarkably effective even after he injured his left thumb in January, but he injured that same left hand (this time, the index finger) in the loss to the Grizzlies. In the same game, Nicolas Batum also saw limited minutes because of a back injury. Both are doubtful to play against the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Arron Afflalo has not quite played up to the standards of Wesley Matthews, who tore his Achilles earlier this month. Since being inserted to the starting lineup, Afflalo is averaging 12 points and shooting just 39 percent from the field.
The Blazers are an imposing home team (28-6, the third-best record in the NBA), but the likely loss of Aldridge (23.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game), Batum and backup center Chris Kaman against the Warriors will be incredibly tough to deal with.
Portland can opt to go small with Dorell Wright (a 40 percent three-point shooter) playing as a stretch power forward and CJ McCollum (14 points per game in his last two) making a three-guard set with Afflalo and Damian Lillard for a more offensively potent line-up. However, both will be hard-pressed to win their respective matchups with Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Writer’s Prediction
The full-strength Warriors have too much for the undermanned Blazers. Take Golden State to win and cover on the road.
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