Curry helps Warriors hold off Blazers

[January 12, 2013]  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Stephen Curry scored 22 points, including two free throws with 16.4 seconds left, and the Golden State Warriors held off a late Portland charge to beat the Trail Blazers 103-97 on Friday night.

David Lee added 24 points and 10 rebounds and helped shut down Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge in a matchup of two of the top power forwards in the Western Conference.

The Warriors led by 20 in the second half before Portland rookie and Oakland native Damian Lillard nearly rallied the Blazers. Lillard scored 17 of his career-high 37 points in the fourth quarter and made a 3-pointer that cut Golden State's lead to 100-97 with 22.5 seconds remaining.

Curry then made two free throws and Jarrett Jack added one to help seal the win for the Warriors.

Golden State snapped a two-game losing streak and continued its surprising turnaround from a year ago. The win over Portland helped the Warriors already match their win total (23) from last season and helped maintain their second-place spot in the Pacific Division.

They needed another strong night from Curry to hold off a pesky Blazers team that was thoroughly outplayed for three quarters before making a late run.

Curry shot just 7 for 22 but had seven points in the fourth quarter, though he was nearly overshadowed by Lillard.

Lillard went 15 of 22 from the floor and made a career-best seven 3s to go with six rebounds and four assists. A small but vocal crowd of supporters chanted his name at various times in the game, growing louder with each bucket he made in the fourth quarter.

It wasn't enough for the Blazers, whose four-game winning streak ended.

Klay Thompson scored 16 points, Landry added 15 while Harrison Barnes had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors.

Lee scored 13 points in the first half and helped hold Aldridge to 1-of-9 shooting before the break. Lee had seven points during a 10-2 run that helped the Warriors take a 50-35 halftime lead.

The early hole ruined Portland coach Terry Stotts plan of resting his starters. Aldridge (16 points, nine rebounds) played 43 minutes, Lillard played 42 while Wesley Matthews was in for 36. The trio combined to go 21 of 54.

The Blazers were sluggish from the start on both ends of the court, had trouble getting the ball inside and missed 36 of their first 47 shots from the floor. Their frustrations boiled when Matthews received a technical foul after yelling at an official following a turnover.

Golden State led by 20 in the third quarter before Lillard scored eight straight points early in the fourth to pull Portland to 82-74.

NOTES: Portland attempted 43 3-pointers, the most ever against Golden State. ... Lillard, who played at nearby Oakland High School, had a small section of family and friends in attendance. ... The Warriors played without backup center Andris Biedrins (groin pull).

[Associated Press; By MICHAEL WAGAMAN]

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