OAKLAND -– The Warriors didn’t need Stephen Curry to make quick work of the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday.
Racing out an early double-digit lead behind a torrid Klay Thompson, the Warriors laid a 118-106 trouncing on Portland before a joyful sellout crowd at Oracle Arena.
With a national TV audience looking on, Thompson scored a game-high 37 points -– 18 in the first quarter -– to lead the offensive charge as the Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Draymond Green posted his first triple-double of the postseason, finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Shaun Livingston had 12 points, and Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut each totaled 10 for the Warriors.
The Warriors dominated the glass, outrebounding Portland 55-40 and also holding the Blazers to 40.2-percent shooting from the field.
Portland’s potent guards, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, were kept under control, combining for 42 points -– 28 in a desperate catch-up second half -– on 13-of-43 shooting from the field.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Sports
Thompson and Green drove the bus on this day, the former curling around the curves and the latter roaring down the straightaways.
Thompson’s line: 37 points on 14-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-14 from 3-point distance, five assists and five rebounds. He played 37 minutes and finished plus-23 for the game.
Then there was Thompson’s defense, mostly on Lillard, who was 8-of-26 from the field.
Green’s line: 23 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from deep, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He played 38 minutes and finished plus-24.
TURNING POINT
The Warriors were in control from the start, taking an 18-4 lead with 6:07 left in the first quarter and blowing it out to 39-19 early in the second quarter.
The Warriors shot 60 percent in the opening quarter while holding the Blazers to 23.8 percent.
Portland got as close as nine (58-49) with 1:34 left in the half but never got closer than 12 in the second half.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: G Stephen Curry (R MCL sprain) and F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) were listed as out and placed on the inactive list.
Blazers: C Meyers Leonard (L shoulder surgery) and F Cliff Alexander (healthy) were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT
The teams convene Tuesday night for Game 2 at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:40.
