Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from Game 4 loss vs. Warriors
1. The Meyers Leonard Game
Game 4 will be a bad memory for many Blazer fans, as it marked the third consecutive game where their favorite team squandered an enormous lead. However, if there’s one good thing to take away from this game, it was Meyers Leonard’s epic first half performance.
Leonard entered the game already having a solid series. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists over Games 2 and 3, missing Game 1 with a DNP-CD. His size and floor-stretching ability gave him the ability to keep up with the Warriors’ fluid offensive attack while also keeping the defense on its toes.
Still, no one foresaw what he did through the first 24 minutes of Game 4. He unleashed 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. His point total by halftime surpassed any scoring night he’s had in the NBA or during his two seasons at Illinois. Unfortunately, the Warriors cooled him off in the second half, holding him to just two field goal attempts (though he made both).
Next. Each team's greatest NBA Draft pick of all-time. dark
Leonard has been with the Portland Trail Blazers for his entire seven-year career, and his understated tenure has been a point of contention among the fanbase. However, in this “what have you done for me lately” league, he stepped up big when his team needed a third reliable scorer. Game 4 itself may leave a bad taste in fans’ mouths, but Meyers Leonard’s 30-point game in the face of elimination will be a fun memory that should live on for years to come.