OAKLAND – With fire in their eyes and a bounce in their step after an off day, the Warriors came out Saturday and laid a 135-90 waxing on the Portland Trail Blazers.
Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Kevin Durant’s 34 points, as the Warriors delighted the sellout crowd (19,596) at Oracle Arena by winning for the eighth time in nine games.
Ian Clark came off the bench for 23 points, while Stephen Curry totaled 19 and Klay Thompson 16 as the Warriors shot 58.6 percent from the field, including 50 percent from 3-point distance.
Draymond Green posted a blue-collar double-double, scoring only 3 points but providing 13 assists and 12 rebounds.
The Warriors (24-4) looked very different than they did two days ago, when they labored through a win over the Knicks. Taking Friday off, they returned with a vengeance, sprinting out to a double-digit lead barely six minutes after tipoff.
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The Warriors held Portland (13-16) to 39.5-percent shooting, with Damian Lillard scoring 20 points to lead the Trail Blazers.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Back to prime efficiency after shooting 40.7 percent over the previous six games, Durant got into an early groove and kept it smooth throughout.
Durant’s line: 34 points (11-of-13 from the field, 4-of-5 beyond the arc, 8-of-10 from the line), 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. He played 31 minutes and finished plus-33 for the game.
TURNING POINT
When a Maurice Harkless hook shot brought Portland within nine (28-19) with 2:42 left in the first quarter, the Warriors responded by closing the quarter on an 11-2 run and taking a 39-21 lead.
An 18-9 start to the second quarter extended the lead to 57-30 with 6:08 left in the half. The Trail Blazers got no closer than 25 points after halftime.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: C Zaza Pachulia (R wrist contusion) and C/F David West (R hip contusion) were listed as questionable. Both were upgraded to available prior to tipoff. C Damian Jones and C Anderson Varejao, both healthy, were placed on the inactive list.
Blazers: F Al-Farouq Aminu (back spasms) was listed as doubtful. C Festus Ezeli (L knee rehab) was listed as out. Both were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Tuesday night, when they face the Utah Jazz at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:40.
