NBA 2018-19: Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Talking Points

Final Score: Warriors def. Blazers, 125-97

The Warriors were on a four-game losing streak which was the longest in Steve Kerr's era and were looking to get back to winning ways. They hosted the Portland Trail Blazers, who were coming off a 43-point blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

This was the final one of their six-game road trip and wanted to go back to Portland with the win. However, the Blazers had a terrible night and no one showed up and the Warriors' 4-game skid came to an end.

Kevin Durant was the high-scorer on the night with 32 points. The Warriors' bench outscored the Blazers' bench 37-18. The Blazers ended their road trip with 2-4 win-loss record. Let us take a look at three talking points from this matchup at the Oracle Arena.

#3 Portland's backcourt failed to deliver

Lillard and McCollum were not efficient in this game. Credit

In a stacked Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers were at the top of the Conference for a few days but with today's loss, they have slipped to the sixth spot. The main reason why the Blazers have been so successful is obviously their backcourt. Lillard is making a strong case for MVP while McCollum is also bringing out his A-game on every single night.

However, against the Warriors, the duo did not shine. They combined for just 42 points on 17-for-43 shooting, with a field-goal percentage of 39.5. They struggled from the three-point line as well and went 6-for-15 from downtown.

Lillard was -19 on the night and McCollum was -18 and the Blazers could not get it going with their two best players going cold in the game. The Blazers will now go back to Portland to host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Moda Center.

#2 Quinn Cook's memorable performance

Quinn Cook filled in nicely in the absence of Stephen Curry

Stat line: 19 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists on 43.75 % shooting

Quinn Cook has not been great in the last four games and the Warriors took four straight losses. However, he had himself a memorable night against the Blazers and scored 19 points on 7-for-16 shooting, including a sizzling 5-for-8 from downtown.

With the Trail Blazers taking the early 15-14 lead, Cook knocked down a three-pointer off an assist by Kevin Durant, to give the Warriors a two-point lead in the first quarter. The Warriors then went on a good run and in the second quarter, Cook connected another three-pointer to extend the lead to 16 points.

In the fourth quarter, Cook had 10 points and helped the Warriors get the win. The four-game skid finally ended. With Curry yet to return back, the dubs need Cook to show up the way he did in this game.

#1 Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant's strong outing

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant led the Warriors past the Blazers. Credit: Daily Express

The Warriors did not feel Curry's absence in this game at the Oracle Arena as Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant combined for 63 points on the night on a red-hot 25-41 shooting, including a decent 6-for-14 from the three-point line.

Durant started the proceedings with a pull-up jumper from mid-range, before following it with yet another one from his favorite area. He finished the night with 32 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Durant was +23 on the night and also had 2 steals along with 3 of the Warriors' 11 blocks.

Klay Thompson began the game with a turnaround jumper in the face of CJ McCollum and followed it up with an elbow jumper. With 6:35 remaining in the first quarter, Thompson knocked down a three-pointer for a four-point play to give the Warriors a one-point lead.

Thompson finished the night with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and went 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. This was Thompson's third game with 30 or more points this season.