Before the Warriors finished off the first home win in Chase Center history Monday night, they got on the Trail Blazers' nerves.
Despite playing without the injured Steph Curry, Draymond Green, D'Angelo Russell, Kevon Looney and Jacob Evans, Golden State led for the vast majority of the game, and never trailed after midway through the third quarter. As the Warriors inched closer to their first home win of the season, it became obvious that Portland was losing its composure.
At one point, Warriors guard Ky Bowman -- a two-way player -- converted a layup, and was given a forearm shiver by Blazers center Hassan Whiteside after celebrating. Bowman didn't take kindly to that, and it wasn't the first time Portland got unnecessarily physical.
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Minutes earlier, rookie shooting guard Jordan Poole was given a technical foul for an exchange with Blazers swingman Rodney Hood. Of course, the refs missed the initial cheap shot by Hood that prompted Poole to respond in kind. Cameras caught Hood giving a running shove into Poole's back as they made their way down the court.
Hood didn't receive any discipline for the shove, but Poole got the last laugh. As he walked by Hood on his way to take game-clinching free throws with 24.9 seconds remaining, Poole was caught smirking, leaving little doubt as to what it referenced.
Of course, the win had to feel pretty good, too.
Golden State Warriors
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