Green explosion fuels Warriors' comeback win

Trail Blazers have task cut out as no team has overcome a 0-3 playoff deficit

May 19, 2019 10:35 pm | Updated 11:48 pm IST - Los Angeles

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard, left, during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals, in Portland, Ore.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard, left, during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals, in Portland, Ore.

Draymond Green exploded for a seventh career playoff triple-double on Saturday as Golden State Warriors rallied for a 110-99 victory over Trail Blazers in Portland and a 3-0 lead in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Two-time defending champions Warriors trailed by 18 in the second quarter, but with Green driving them they produced a dominant third period to seize control of the contest and the series.

No team has come back from a 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series. Trail Blazers will try to fend off elimination when they host game four on Monday.

Green scored 20 points with 13 rebounds and 12 assists, keeping Warriors afloat in the first half before superstar Stephen Curry came alive with 21 of his 36 points after the interval.

“I don't even know what to say about Draymond,” said coach Steve Kerr. “He was like a wrecking ball out there, destroying everything in his path.”

His intensity was on display at both ends of the court, and on the sidelines as he exhorted teammates to keep pushing.

Klay Thompson added 19 points for Warriors, who were again without injured star Kevin Durant.

C.J. McCollum led Portland with 23 points. Damian Lillard, relentlessly double-teamed by Warriors, added 19 points. Meyers Leonard, making just his third start of the season, finished with 16.

The results: Portland Trail Blazers 99 (Meyers Leonard 16, Damian Lillard 19, C.J. McCollum 23, Evan Turner 12) lost to Golden State Warriors 110 (Draymond Green 20, Klay Thompson 19, Stephen Curry 36). Warriors leads 3-0 .

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