According to an old Hawaiian proverb, what you see is not always what you get–and judging by the way the Portland Trail Blazers blindsided the Golden State Warriors tonight, my ancient ancestors may have been on to something. The Blazers might have looked like easy pickings with starters Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe on the shelf with injuries, but what Golden State got instead was a stiff rebuke from a hardy crew of survivors who patched together a 127-123 triumph. Caleb Love led the way for the winners with 26 points, Steph Curry paced the Warriors with 38.
There were a lot of players with fingerprints all over this game, but Caleb Love has to get some, well, some love. The rookie was everywhere and made his presence felt throughout, including down the stretch. The numbers: 37 minutes, 26 points on 9-20 from the field, 6-14 from three, 2-2 from the line, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Follow the bouncing ball–rebounds and assists everywhere you look. The Blazers rang up 32 assists on 42 field goals made and won the battle of the boards 52-32. Portland’s two-headed monster at the center position–Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III–combined for 21 rebounds and 30 points.
Deni Advija plugged all the holes tonight–40 minutes that were less than perfect but more than enough: 26 points, 14 assists, 12-13 free throws and uncounted bumps and bruises.
And the Blazers rose to 2-1 in NBA Emirates Cup play if you’re counting.
The Blazers move on to Oklahoma City for a game against the Thunder Sunday, November 23. Game time is 4:00 p.m., PST.
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