The Golden State Warriors have lost just six games in the NBA regular season so far, and Portland Trail Blazers is one of those teams to have tasted victory against the champions. Warriors will be eager to take revenge when the two teams meet at Oracle Arena in Oakland on Friday.
The Warriors were completely outplayed in their last game against the Blazers. The score read 137-105 and it surprised basketball fans for the Warriors were not beaten so comprehensively this season by any team.
But, it is going to be completely different affair when Warriors host Blazers at their home, where they are yet to be beaten. They enjoy 28-0 win loss record this season and their home fans have been habituated to winning as well.
Trail Blazers have a tough task at hand, but if their star player Damian Lillard delivers another sterling performance against the Warriors, anything is possible, including a first home defeat as well. Lillard was at his menacing best against Warriors in their last head-to-head, scoring 51 points. The visitors will be looking for yet another stellar performance from their star.
Blazers guard Allen Crabbe believes that the Warriors are going to be tight on Lillard, who will be the star player for the visitors.
"Obviously they're gonna change some things up that we did really good, but if we have another 50-point performance from Damian, then I'm pretty sure we'll be in another good spot to win the game," AP quoted Crabbe as saying.
Lillard is up for it, and wants to become the first team in the NBA this season to emerge victorious at Oracle Arena.
"Obviously they're gonna change some things up that we did really good, but if we have another 50-point performance from Damian, then I'm pretty sure we'll be in another good spot to win the game," Lillard said.
The Blazers seem to be excited, but the Warriors are more than determined to prove their class against the visitors. With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson having showed great form throughout the season, the trio has come up with some incredible performances to justify Warriors favourites tag for the NBA title.
However, Curry has not been able to play upto his usual standard in the last few matches, but it is such matches against the Blazers that can pump him up. Not only does the player score important baskets, his quality performance lifts the team morale to another level even if they are not performing well.
The Warriors were the first team to qualify for the playoffs, but they have not lowered their guard at all. They want to win as many matches as they can, en route to the playoffs. With 9-1 record in their last ten games, Warriors are favourites to defeat Blazers.
Though Warriors have Curry, Thompson and Green, team coach Steve Kerr is also pleased with the return of Andre Iguodala, who can play an important role in the team.
"We're a different team with Andre. He does everything for us," Kerr said.
The match promises to be an entertaining one with Blazers keen to hand Warriors their first defeat at home, while Kerr's side have revenge on their sights.
Where to watch live
Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA game is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (9 a.m. IST) start with live TV coverage in India on Sony Six while the live streaming is available on Sonyliv.
There is no National TV live coverage in the US
Viewers around the world can watch all the NBA live action by live streaming on NBA.
