NBA Playoffs 2019: Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game 2 live stream: Watch online
By Ian Levy
The Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to even their series with Golden State Warriors in Game 2. Here’s everything you need to know to watch.
The Trail Blazers were able to keep it reasonably close with the Warriors in Game 1, until Stephen Curry’s red-hot shooting pushed things into blowout territory. Portland was outscored by 13 points in the second half, with Curry and Klay Thompson combining for 32 points and 7-of-13 on 3-pointers. The Blazers came out playing a surprisingly passive pick-and-roll strategy, giving Curry and Thompson plenty of space when coming off screens, and they suffered for it. Expect to see Portland’s bigs hedge harder in Game 2, which, of course, could create its own set of problems.
The Trail Blazers offense also struggled mightily in Game 1 with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combining for just 36 points on 11-of-31 from the field, and 10 turnovers to 7 assists. Turnovers are so dangerous against Golden State because of their ability to leverage early offense into high-quality scoring chances. Portland had 21 turnovers in Game 1 and Golden State finished with a 17-2 edge in fastbreak points. The Blazers are okay playing slow and deliberate, but they have to make shots and they have to protect the ball or Golden State will just be running it back down their throats at the other end.
Below is everything you’ll need to watch Game 2.
Date: Thursday, May 16
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Oakland, CA
Venue: Oracle Arena
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: Qualified subscribers can watch on the WatchESPN app.
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Expect to see Portland try a more aggressive pick-and-roll strategy in Game 2 or perhaps even go small and begin switching in key minutes. They need their bigs to create an advantage for them on the offensive glass but if they’re letting Golden State’s shooters walk into open 3-pointers, it doesn’t really matter.