Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 3 road win vs. Blazers

3. Deja-vu for Golden State in the third quarter

The numerous descriptions of Golden State’s third-quarter prowess exuded over the years have become stale. What hasn’t, however, is witnessing that elite level of play whenever it just so happens to come along which, in the Dubs’ case, is very often against these Blazers.

The Warriors went into halftime down 13, two less than their Game 2 deficit at the same time. As was the case in the game prior, they fought all the way back. Only this time, the fans in attendance couldn’t have been less ecstatic with every demoralizing make.

Golden State outscored Portland 29-13, continuing their post-halftime dominance over a team that actually posted the sixth-highest third-quarter point differential during the regular season. The Blazers shot just 5-of-18 from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, the Warriors had no similar issues at the offensive end, hitting 10-of-19 shots overall in the frame with seven made free-throws to Portland’s two. Their play now has them a plus-28 in third quarters during this series, a crucial aspect of their commanding series lead.

The third-quarter has been the turning point in each of the last two games for the Dubs. Overall during this series, they’ve shot 52.0 percent from the field and 48.0 percent from the 3-point line, compared to 39.0 and 38.0 percent for the Blazers, respectively.

Portland can do whatever it wants in the first half. It has over the last two games. The Warriors simply don’t care, with championship-level expertise that breeds confidence no matter the situation they play themselves into.