Warriors rallied in second half past Trail Blazers

Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard during Warriors’ 123-105 win in NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.02.28 – Jordan Poole had 29 points, six assists and five rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriors rallied past the red-hot Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers 123-105 on Tuesday night.

The goal for the Warriors… do everything to shut down Lillard, without fouling the Trail Blazers star after he made all 16 of his free throws last time against the defending champs.

Lillard had 25 points and seven assists to follow up his franchise-record and career-best 71-point masterpiece against the Rockets on Sunday night, when his 13 3-pointers were one shy of Thompson’s NBA record.

“We know all too well what Dame can do when he gets rolling,” coach Steve Kerr said. “That was the plan from the beginning, let’s try to take him out.”

Lillard was whistled for three quick fouls after halftime and Portland unsuccessfully challenged his fourth personal. The Warriors capitalized on every chance during their decisive 39-point third quarter, taking the lead for good on Thompson’s 3-pointer with 1:46 left in the period on the way to winning a fourth straight at home and eighth in nine at Chase Center.

Trailing by as many as 23 points, the Warriors roared past the Trail Blazers and pushed themselves — at least for one night — into a playoff-qualifying spot in the Western Conference.

The win lifted Golden State (32-30) into a tie for fifth place in the conference. The top six teams automatically qualify for the postseason.

Donte DiVincenzo spearheaded the team’s defensive effort, essentially face-guarding Lillard throughout the second half.

“There were a few different things that we were throwing at him,” DiVincenzo said. “We had to be locked in. We were throwing those things at him in different scenarios, different situations, on makes and misses, out-of-bounds stuff. So I think it was a very good test for what we’re going to need to do going forward.”

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole collides with Portland Trail Blazers’ Drew Eubanks in 1st quarter during NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

Watch this video on YouTube

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBA Video highlights)

Jonathan Kuminga delivered a high-flying one-handed dunk down the middle late in the third certain to make the highlight reels, then another shortly after to aid the comeback. He scored 16 on 8-for-10 shooting.

“Tough league, most competitive league in the world, and we have a lot of great teams,” Poole said. “The West is really tough. We’re just finding ways to continue to win games, and I think it’s going to come down to the wire for a lot of teams. So just trying to find ways to separate ourselves and get some key wins so we can put ourselves in good position.”

Lillard had 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the first to help the Blazers build a quick 39-22 lead and score 41 in the opening period. He shot 9 of 21 for the night and took only five free throws.

Thompson and Lillard were the league’s two most prolific shooters from long range in February, Thompson averaging an NBA-best 5.6 3s per game to Lillard’s 5.3.

Thompson has been working on being a better re-bounder and grabbed eight to go with four assists. He and Poole began a combined 6 for 22 as the Warriors trailed 65-48 at halftime.

It marked the first meeting since Portland dealt Gary Payton II to the Warriors ahead of the trade deadline, then Golden State expressed concerns to the NBA about how much the Trail Blazers shared regarding the guard’s health. Payton is currently sidelined still recovering from off-season surgery for a core muscle injury.

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant in 1st quarter during NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

Watch this video on YouTube

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (NBC Sports Post Game)

“Just wanna hoop!!” Payton posted on his Twitter account.

Draymond Green returned from a two-game absence with a bruised right knee, then injured his left wrist at the 9:15 mark of the second in a collision with Drew Eubanks and went to the locker room before returning about four minutes later.

He underwent an MRI exam for the knee on Monday, then participated in the shoot-around before being deemed ready to play and contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals.

With Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins still out, getting Green back on the court meant so much.

“It just feels like we’re coming together, and it feels like there’s some chemistry, some energy that’s forming,” Kerr said. “We’ve been battling all season and without Steph and Wiggs for so much of the season. These guys have done a great job of just keeping our heads above water.”

GPII’S REUNION

Portland coach Chauncey Billups tried to keep the focus on basketball and none of the drama surrounding Payton’s departure earlier in the month.

“Just another day,” Billups said, “I’ll be happy to see him, embrace him and give him some love.”

LOONEY’S STREAK

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

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Kruger Show Post Game)

Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (left) and Stephen Curry (Center) celebrate during a Portland Trail Blazers vs. Warriors’ 123-105 win in NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Kruger Show Post Game)

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2023.02.28 – Warriors vs. Trail Blazers (Kruger Show Post Game)

Larry Smith is the last Warriors player with at least 13 rebounds in seven consecutive games when he twice had eight straight such games in 1980-81.

“What Looney’s doing on the offensive glass is incredible,” Billups said.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Portland shot 12 for 39 from deep and got out-rebounded 45-33. … The Blazers have lost the last five on the Warriors’ home court.

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