Curry to the rescue as Warriors down Blazers

SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry scored 37 points as the Golden State Warriors fought back to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-111 and take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference finals series on Thursday.

Curry sparked a 14-3 run for the Warriors as the NBA champions overturned a 108-100 deficit with just over four minutes remaining in a pulsating battle at the Oracle Arena.

Earlier, the Trail Blazers had surged into a 17-point early in the second half only for the Warriors to hit back with a sustained points onslaught.

The Warriors erupted for 39 points in the third quarter to haul themselves back into the contest but Portland, led by Damian Lillard, refused to roll over.

A Meyers Leonard three-pointer put Portland eight points clear late in the fourth but Curry then seized control.

Three nerveless free throws from Curry edged Golden State into a 110-108 lead, before a three-pointer for Portland from Curry’s younger brother Seth made it 111-110 for the visitors.

Kevon Looney’s alley-oop dunk shot put Golden State back in front at 112-111 with 52 seconds remaining before a Draymond Green layup with 12 seconds left effectively sealed the win.

“We knew they were going to come out swinging,” Curry said.

“They gave us a great punishing. That third quarter was unbelievable. It was a true testament of everyone on the team.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that his team, who are chasing a third straight NBA championship this season and a fourth in five seasons, had been fortunate to escape with the win.

“We stole that game,” a relieved Kerr said. “I thought they outplayed us for much of the night, the majority of the night. But we’ve been here before.

“I think our experience helped us. We’ve done this a few times before. But we stole it tonight for sure. They outplayed us.”

Portland coach Terry Stotts took satisfaction from an improved performance after a heavy loss in game one on Tuesday, but admitted his team had squandered a chance to level the series.

“It’s a lost opportunity, no question,” Stotts said. “We played a good game, we led for a good part of the game. We had a chance to win and we didn’t.”