Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson rally Warriors past Blazers 123-105

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) — Jordan Poole had 29 points, six assists and five rebounds,Klay Thompson scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriorsrallied past Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-105on Tuesday night.

Lillard had25 points and seven assists to follow up his franchise-record andcareer-best 71-point masterpiece against the Rockets on Sundaynight, when his 13 3-pointers were one shy of Thompson’s NBArecord.

Lillard waswhistled for three quick fouls after halftime and Portlandunsuccessfully challenged his fourth personal. The Warriorscapitalized on every chance during their decisive 39-point thirdquarter, taking the lead for good on Thompson’s 3-pointer with 1:46left in the period on the way to winning a fourth straight at homeand eighth in nine.

Poole’sjumper with 6:14 to play in the third got Golden State within74-67, then Thompson’s jumper at 4:59 made it a two-point game asGolden State came back from 23 down after losing 125-122 inPortland on Feb. 8.

JonathanKuminga delivered a high-flying one-handed dunk down the middlelate in the third certain to make the highlight reels, then anothershortly after to aid the comeback. He scored 16 on 8-for-10shooting.

Lillard had15 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the first to help the Blazersbuild a quick 39-22 lead and score 41 in the opening period. Heshot 9 of 21 for the night.

Thompson andLillard were the league’s two most prolific shooters from longrange in February, Thompson averaging an NBA-best 5.6 3s per gamefor the month to Lillard’s 5.3.

Thompson hasbeen working on being a better rebounder and grabbed eight to gowith four assists. He and Poole began a combined 6 for 22 as theWarriors trailed 65-48 at halftime.

It marked thefirst meeting since Portland dealt Gary Payton II to the Warriorsahead of the trade deadline, then Golden State expressed concernsto the NBA about how much the Trail Blazers shared regarding theguard’s health. Payton is currently sidelined still recovering fromoffseason surgery for a core muscle injury.

“Just wannahoop!!”Payton postedon his Twitteraccount.

DraymondGreen returned from a two-game absence with a bruised right kneethen injured his left wrist at the 9:15 mark of the second in acollision with Drew Eubanks and went to the locker room beforereturning about four minutes later.

He underwentan MRI exam for the knee on Monday, then participated in theshootaround before being deemed ready to play.

GPII’S REUNION

Portlandcoach Chauncey Billups tried to keep the focus on basketball andnone of the drama surrounding Payton’s departure earlier thismonth.

“Just anotherday,” Billups said, “I’ll be happy to see him, embrace him and givehim some love.”

LOONEY’S STREAK

Kevon Looney,whose 24 games with double-digit rebounds are most for Golden Statesince Green had 37 in 2015-16, saw the end of a stretch of sixstraight games with 13 or more rebounds but did score 14 pointswith seven rebounds.

Larry Smithis the last Warriors player with at least 13 rebounds in sevenconsecutive games when he twice had eight straight such games in1980-81.

“WhatLooney’s doing on the offensive glass is incredible,” Billupssaid.

TIP-INS

TrailBlazers: Portland shot 12 for 39 from deep and got outrebounded45-33. ... The Blazers have lost the last five on the Warriors’home court.

Warriors:Stephen Curry, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, is increasing hisworkload and scrimmaged earlier in the day with Golden State’stwo-way players and backups. He missed his ninth straight game witha left leg injury after getting hurt against Dallas on Feb. 4 and aformal update on his progress should come in the next few days. ...Andrew Wiggins sat out a fifth consecutive game while dealing witha family matter.

UPNEXT

TrailBlazers: Host New Orleans on Wednesday night to conclude theroad-home back-to-back.

Warriors:Host the Clippers on Thursday night having won the last four in theseries at home.