The streak is over. The Golden State Warriors’ epic 54-game home winning streak has finally been snapped as they fell to the Boston Celtics on Friday. Damian Lillard and his Portland Trail Blazers, who also know a thing or two about beating the Warriors, now come to Oracle looking to hand the Warriors their first losing skid of the season.
Get a complete breakdown of Golden State’s next home game with our preview below. In the meantime, check out more top NBA action with our previews of the Thunder vs. Rockets and Hornets vs. Cavs.
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Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: ORACLE Arena, Oakland
When: Sunday, April 3, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBA TV
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers (41-36)
Don’t look now, but Portland’s blazing a trail up the Western Conference standings. After beating a Dwyane Wade-less Miami Heat on Saturday, the Blazers have now won four-straight games, including one against the Warriors’ recent conquerors, the Boston Celtics. They’re just a half-game back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the fifth seed in the conference.
Lillard, who also dropped 40 on the Warriors in the other game in Portland this season, hasn’t been his usually prolific self in recent games, though. He’s just averaging 16 points and shooting 29 percent from the field over his last five games. Thankfully, his teammates – C.J. McCollum, Allen Crabbe and Al-Farouq Aminu to name three – have stepped up at times to keep the team winning.
Needless to say, the Blazers will need everyone to have a great game to beat the champs on their home floor. But with the Warriors banged up and playing relatively sloppy basketball, the Blazers have the weapons who can capitalize on any mistakes.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors (68-8)
It wasn’t really that big a surprise to see the Warriors’ home winning streak finally come to an end, as the cracks in their armor were already showing. Prior to their 109-106 loss to the Celtics, the Dubs had gone 0-3 ATS in their last three at home. They were given pretty close calls by the Mavs and Wizards, and were taken to overtime by the Jazz on the road on Wednesady.
As Steve Kerr said, the pressure of chasing history has taken its toll both physically and mentally on his team. That fatigue has manifested itself in terms of costly turnovers. The Dubs have averaged close to 19 giveaways over their last three games, including 22 in their loss to Boston.
However, are you really going to bet on the Warriors to lose two home games in a row? (By the way, the last time that happened was back in January 2014.) Kerr will make his adjustments, and his team will surely come out to give an immediate response especially with the record 73 wins still very much in reach.
Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who hit 10 of the team’s 20 three-pointers against the Celtics, have burned the Portland Trail Blazers badly this season. They’re averaging a total of 62 points and 12 threes made against them in three games. They combined for 71 points and 15 threes in their latest meeting at home, a 128-112 Warriors win.
The Warriors are 17-3 (16-4 ATS) in their last 20 home games against Portland.
Writer’s Prediction
The Warriors bounce back with a 110-101 win over the Blazers.
