Trail Blazers vs Warriors: Game 2 Score, Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

A postseason cliche is that a series doesn’t really start until the road team steals a game, but the clash between the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers already feels over after the home team won the first two contests.

The Trail Blazers took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s Game 2 but proceeded to lose 110-99. The Warriors looked overmatched for the majority of the game but then reminded everyone just how dangerous they are—even without the injured Stephen Curry—with a 34-12 fourth quarter:

What a comeback! Warriors outscore Blazers 34-12 in 4th quarter; take 2-0 series lead with 110-99 victory pic.twitter.com/jGQ9EKVBsQ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2016

Golden State got some timely offense from Klay Thompson and Draymond Green down the stretch, but it was its defense that dictated the tone. It held Damian Lillard scoreless in the fourth quarter after he was red-hot during the third and tied a franchise record, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Warriors: 12 points allowed in 4th quarter are tied for their fewest allowed in the 4th quarter of a playoff game in franchise history

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2016

Thompson led the way on the offensive end with 27 points, but it was Green who facilitated much of the comeback with his versatile ball-handling and passing. He finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks and spearheaded a massive push at the end, per Kevin Pelton of ESPN:

Offensive ratings in the last nine minutes of Game 2:Golden State 155.6Portland 44.4

— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) May 4, 2016

Portland is still only a couple of home wins away from making this a series again. However, they are likely deflated after blowing a double-digit lead in the final 12 minutes on Tuesday, especially after a 118-106 loss in Game 1. Lillard finished with a team-high 25 points, while backcourt-mate C.J. McCollum added 22 points.

Despite the loss, the Trail Blazers made the necessary early adjustments after the Warriors outscored them in the first quarter of Game 1, 37-17. Portland jumped out to a commanding 19-5 lead within the opening six minutes and looked set to win one on the road.

The Trail Blazers were pushing the ball in transition and dictating the pace on the offensive end, but it was a defensive matchup that helped them establish early control, via Nate Duncan of The Cauldron:

Harkless on Klay has worked so far. He’s providing more length to contest, while CJ and Dame haven’t been posted up successfully.

— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) May 4, 2016

Maurice Harkless was forced to the bench with his …

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