Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors Predictions, Picks and Preview – 2016 NBA Playoffs – Western Conference Semifinals Game Two – May 3, 2016

Game 1 was pure domination from the Golden State Warriors. And what’s impressive is the fact that the defending champions did it without the injured Stephen Curry. Can the Warriors take care of business again in Game 2? Or will the Portland Trail Blazers answer back? Read on below for a better look at this Western Conference showdown.

Meanwhile, you can also click here to check out our in-depth preview of Game 1 between the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors.

Trail Blazers vs. Warriors Game Two Round Two Preview

Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

When: Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 10:30 PM ET

Line: Portland Trail Blazers (+10) vs. Golden State Warriors (-10); total: 213.5 – view all NBA lines

TV Broadcast: TNT

Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers

Portland can’t let that lopsided loss in Game 1 bring them down too much. The series just started and the Trail Blazers have more than enough time to make the necessary adjustments, and hopefully bounce back in tonight’s Game 2 at Oracle Arena.

The Blazers cannot afford to go on another slow start again. They need to immediately push the pace and prevent the Warriors from finding a flow offensively or defensively. Hence, the onus is on the pair of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum to provide the much-needed buckets for Portland.

Yes, Lillard managed to compile 30 points, but most of those points came when Golden State already built a huge double-digit lead. McCollum, on the other hand, really struggled with his stroke as he went just 5-of-17 from the floor for 12 points. That’s definitely not how this year’s Most Improved Player should be performing.

To be fair, though, you can’t solely blame the two for their relatively poor outing in the opener. The Warriors’ defense did a tremendous job in forcing them to take tough shots or force somebody else to score.

Speaking of which, the Blazers’ supporting cast will need to do just that. Allen Crabbe and Ed Davis ought to build on their performance on Sunday’s loss. Both contributed 15 and 11 points, respectively.

As for Portland’s defense, which is giving up 106.3 points in its past three games, can’t allow Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to continue bullying them.  The two combined for 60 points, 18 rebounds and 16 dimes in Game 1.

Rip City is 3-7 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 road games.

Betting on the Golden State Warriors

Game 1 served as another proof that Golden State can still dominate games even without their key superstar in Stephen Curry.

The Warriors showcased their dominance in the opening period, where they scored 37 points and also limited the Trail Blazers to just 17 points. From that point on, the defending champions never looked back and cruised towards the commanding 118-106 victory on Sunday.

Leading the way for the defending champions was the pairing of Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, who both put on one hell of a show.

Thompson reminded everyone why he’s one of the best shooters in the league right now. He exploded for a game-high of 37 points along with five boards and five dimes while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor. Thompson also knocked down seven treys in the win.

Green, meanwhile, had an all-around performance as he posted his second-career playoff triple-double. He racked up 23 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 11 assists.

The efforts of Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes were also worth noting, as both of them finished with a double-double. Bogut, in particular, did a solid job in protecting the paint with three blocks. Their presence on the court should continue to be a key factor for the Warrior’s success in Game 2.

Overall, as long as the Warriors continue playing with a lot of tenacity on both sides of the floor, it’s hard to see them lose tonight especially against an inexperienced team like the Trail Blazers.

The Dubs are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in its past 10 home games.

Writer’s Prediction

Warriors (-10) win by double-digits again, 111-97.