Ben Margot/Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. — As Andre Iguodala sprinted off the court screaming at his magic hands, the Portland Trail Blazers shuffled to the visiting locker room at Oracle Arena on Thursday night and rummaged for hope.
Hope after blowing a huge lead. Hope after losing a game they had needed to win. Hope amid the sad reality that, in theory, they would need to win four of their next five games against the Golden State Warriors — the Warriors! — to sustain their dream of reaching the N.B.A. finals for the first time since 1992.