The Golden State Warriors and Draymond Green have kept Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard in check through three games in these Western Conference Finals.
The All-NBA guard struggled once again in Game 3, scoring just 19 points on just 5-of-18 shooting. Following the Warriors 110-99 victory, Warriors forward Draymond Green explained their approach in guarding Lillard.
"We know Dame can get hot and change an entire series."
Draymond says that Golden State is well aware of what Dame is capable of, despite taking a 3-0 series lead. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yakLu8zoKm
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 19, 2019
The Warriors and Draymond Green have been blitzing Lillard, C.J. McCollum and the rest of the Blazers' backcourt in pick ‘n roll coverages. Moreover, as Draymond said, the Dubs also throw different bodies at the All-NBA guard and even send doubles at him to wear him down throughout the course of 48 minutes.
Their focus on defending Lillard — as articulated by Draymond Green — has obviously worked, given how Dame has struggled to find his rhythm in this series. The four time All-Star is averaging just 20.3 points through three games and is shooting a combined 15-of-46 from the field, which is 32.6 percent. He's been average beyond the arc, shooting 38.5 percent, but has struggled finishing in the lane. The Warriors continue to lock down the paint whenever he drives.
Damian Lillard has been regressing in these 2019 NBA playoffs. After a magnificent series in the opening round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard was pedestrian in the second round against Denver and has been horrible against the two-time defending champs in the conference finals.
Golden State's size and length on defense have clearly thrown Damian Lillard off his game. He will definitely need to snap out of his funk if the Blazers want to extend their Cinderella season for at least one more game.
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