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Game 3 Preview: Warriors at Trail Blazers

The Warriors look to ride the momentum and a four-game winning streak into Portland as they play the Trail Blazers in Game 3of the Western Conference Finals.

Warriors at Trail BlazersSaturday, May 186:00 p.m.Moda Center

WATCH: ESPN
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, ESPN Radio, Warriors Radio Network

BRINGING THE MOMENTUM NORTH
After the Warriors flipped a switch in the second half of Game 2 to claim the victory, the team takes a 2-0 series advantage on the road into Portland. The Dubs are currently riding a four-game playoff game winning streak and Stephen Curry is coming off of back-to-back-to-back 30-plus-point games, so the team is bringing some hot hands up to the Pacific Northwest. During the regular season, the Dubs split their two games in Portland, and the Dubs have gone 4-2 on the road so far this postseason.

LAST TIME OUT
Though down by 17 points during the first half, the Warriors worked their way into a win and 2-0 series lead on the heels of Stephen Curry’s 37 points and a 16-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist, and five-block night from Draymond Green. » Full Game Recap

MATCHUP AT A GLANCE

LAST GAME'S STARTERS

GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut

POR: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter

INJURY & ROSTER NOTES

GSW: Kevin Durant (strained calf) and DeMarcus Cousins (torn quad) are out. Team Notes

POR: Jusuf Nurkic (compound leg fractures) is out. Team Notes

JORDAN BELL READY WHEN NEEDED
Prior to the Western Conference Finals, Jordan Bell’s playing time though the playoffs had been sporadic. Headed into Game 6 in Houston, he had played for a total of 26 minutes over six games along with five games in which he did not play. Yet in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semis, Bell received the nod to play 11 minutes and responded with a solid contribution of four points, two rebounds, and two blocks. Bell said that moment made an impact on him: “When the coach calls your name in Game 6 against Houston at their place, and a game where we can possibly end it there, it gives you a lot of confidence going into the (next) series.” That confidence has been on full display through two games of the Western Conference Finals where he has averaged 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, including two steals and a block in Game 2. Bell has stayed prepared for his moments through the playoffs; now, Dub Nation is watching the young forward grow at the right time and on the biggest stage.

TEAM PLAYOFF LEADERS

TRAIL BLAZERS SCOUTING REPORTDespite a balanced scoring effort and receiving extra help from the bench in Game 2, the Trail Blazers seek ways to shake themselves free from the Warriors’ defense. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum faced additional pressure from the Dubs in the second half with extra double teams and traps, thereby limiting the duo to 19 second half points and a scoring drought for the final 7:42 of the game. Lillard especially struggled against Klay Thompson who forced him into 1-for-7 shooting from the field, 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, and a turnover on 44 possessions. Though their backcourt faced extra pressure from the defense, that gave other Trail Blazers a chance to contribute; Seth Curry tied his playoff career high with 16 points while collecting a season-high four steals (three of which were off his brother Stephen), and ended the night as the only Trail Blazer to finish with a positive plus-minus rating (+13). Rodney Hood was effective with 12 points, and Maurice Harkless took advantage of the added focus on their guards to spring free for 12 points on a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range. Now the series shifts to Portland where the Trail Blazers have been a tough team to beat; they had the third best home record in the NBA during the regular season (32-9), and are 5-1 during the playoffs on their home court.