Despite the deadline to submit votes for the NBA 2016-17 Season Awards having passed this Friday, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is still building his case for the Defensive Player of the Year with a highlight-filled Game 1 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The All-Star forward racked up 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocks, and three steals in the outing, making his presence felt in all areas of the game.

Green's dynamic impact was of the utmost importance on the fourth quarter, as the teams entered the period tied at 88.

The Michigan State product held Portland to 0-for-6 shooting from the floor in the fourth, while limiting them to 11 points (4-of-16 shooting) in 20 plays where he was the primary defender throughout the game.

Courtesy of ESPN's SportsCenter
Courtesy of ESPN's SportsCenter
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Green forced three turnovers (hence the three steals) and had five blocks, two of them of highlight-reel-quality; the other three came as a weak side help defender, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The undersized power forward has picked up a reputation for being a lockdown defender when it counts the most, often the reason the Warriors can go in their famed long double-digit runs and can transition from defense to offense almost seamlessly.

Golden State will need more of these inspired performances from their engine down the stretch if the Warriors hope to make a deep playoff run this postseason.