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Golden State Warriors indispensable forward and defensive leader Draymond Green took his place in the starting lineup on Saturday night, but he spent a large chunk of the first half dealing with frustration and foul trouble.

His status had been somewhat in question after he hurt his knee and had to leave the court briefly in the fourth quarter of Game 2. He did not practice on Friday, but he went into Saturday's game without any restrictions going into the game, however, he picked up three first-half personal fouls as well as a technical foul with 2:28 left in the half.

Green finished the first half with four points, four assists and three rebounds in 16 minutes. Late in the second quarter he showed his frustration by getting into the face of referees for what he apparently felt was excessive contact on a screen set by Joe Ingles. He picked up his third foul moments later and sat out the final 2:38 of the half. His technical foul came after he went to the bench.

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Green, a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, had been arguably the most important player in the series through the first two games. Green averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists 3.0 steals and 1.5 blocked shots in those games.

Staying in the loop

Warriors coach Steve Kerr did not travel with the team to Salt Lake City. He has missed all of the team's playoff games this posteason due to physical ailments stemming from back surgery he underwent last season. He missed 43 games last season due to the the surgery.

"He's had a ton of input," acting coach Mike Brown said of Kerr. "His imprints are all over everything we do. He and I talk a couple times a day. Sometimes — a couple times — he's come into our coaches meetings for about an hour or so. For the most part, we're in constant communication on the phone."

Odds and ends

Forward Andre Iguodala played in his 100th career playoff game. Of those games, 59 have come in the four postseasons with the Warriors. He played 41 playoff games in six previous postseasons with Philadelphia and Denver. … The Warriors wins in the first two games of the series coming on the heels of a first-round sweep meant they'd start the playoffs 6-0 for the first time in franchise history. It's just the third time in franchise history the Warriors have won six straight playoff games in the same postseason. … With one win in Salt Lake City, the Warriors can extend their franchise record to 13 consecutive series having won at least one road game. The longest streak belongs to the Miami Heat (18), and it is still active.

Twitter: @LWorthySports