What we learned as De’Anthony Melton’s 23 points spark Warriors’ win vs. Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
BOX SCORE
SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors reached the halfway point of the season Tuesday night, and rarely have they looked better than they did in Game 41.
That their tip-to-buzzer 119-97 victory came over a skeletal version of the Portland Trail Blazers matters not because these Warriors (22-19) have not earned the right to overlook any version of any opponent on their schedule, particularly one they had lost to three times this season.
On a night when Stephen Curry, with his father, Dell, in attendance at Chase Center, did not find his shot – 2-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-8 from deep – his teammates provided more than enough cover.
De’Anthony Melton, continuing his strong recent play, scored a game-high 23 points, with Jimmy Butler III finishing with 16, Brandon Podziemski had 15 and Moses Moody put in 14, with Draymond Green adding 10.
This was one of those rare occasions when Curry and Green were spectators for the entire fourth quarter, and Butler played only 90 seconds in the fourth before joining them on the bench. The fourth “uncle,” Al Horford, played six minutes for the fourth for conditioning.
Here are three observations from Golden State’s second blowout win in its last three games:
Pride matters
Having lost to Portland in all three previous meetings this season, and realizing the Blazers were a mere 2.5 games back in the Western Conference standings, there surely was a measure of pride within the hearts of the Warriors.
Their commitment to avoiding a season sweep against a rebuilding team was prevalent early, as they took leads of 11-4 and 33-15 in a blistering opening quarter.
The Blazers were without leading scorer Deni Avdija (lower back soreness), who is having a terrific season. Also unavailable were No. 3 scorer Jeremi Grant, part-time starter Kris Murray and Matisse Thybulle.
The Warriors, healthy as they have been all season, led by as much as 29 in the first half. They spread joy across the roster, as 14 players took the floor – everyone by Jonathan Kuminga – with 12 getting into the scoring column.
Golden State has not given itself many cathartic victories this season, but this one can be defined as such.
Melton keeps coming
As Melton has found his rhythm after missing the better part of two seasons with injuries – including a torn ACL sustained in November 2024 – he continues to exhibit the full scope of his abilities.
After playing solid defense but struggling with his shot in the first few weeks upon his Dec. 4 season debut, his defense continues to be stellar, but his scoring has become the answer to Golden State’s dreams.
His 23 points came in only 18 minutes off the bench, as he shot 9-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He scored 11 points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, crushing any notion of a late Portland comeback.
Melton, over the last eight games, is averaging 13.7 points on 52.5-percent shooting from the field, including 42.5 percent beyond the arc.
Coach Steve Kerr has been carefully increasing Melton’s workload. At this rate, he could enter the starting lineup in a matter of weeks.
Far from perfect
Coming off a light practice (mostly video study) on Monday after being demolished by the Atlanta Hawks a day earlier, this matchup presented the Warriors with a splendid opportunity to play a clean game.
They failed to meet that standard.
While it looks impressive enough to hold the Blazers to 24 first-quarter points on 39.1-percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from distance, 10 of those points came off Golden State turnovers.
Green, who of late has been much more careful with the ball, was the primary culprit. He regressed to his worst tendency, committing six turnovers in 22 minutes.
There was just enough sloppiness by the Warriors to give the coaching staff enough ugly video to review, should they be inclined to show it.
It’s even less often that Golden State’s turnovers – 13, giving Portland 21 points — are irrelevant, but this was one of those nights.
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