The Warriors will make their first trip this season to the Pacific Northwest Friday night when they face the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Reigning MVP Stephen Curry expects to start for the Warriors and he’ll be wearing additional padding to protect his bruised left shin.
The Warriors (33-2) are off to the best start in NBA history under interim coach Luke Walton, who will be coaching his first game in the city where his Hall of Fame father, Bill, began his NBA career and won a championship in 1977.
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The Trail Blazers (15-23), led by Oakland High product Damian Lillard, are in the early stages of rebuilding after losing four starters –- LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez -– last summer.
Guards CJ McCollum and Lillard are averaging a combined 45.2 points per game, making them the league’s second-highest scoring guard duo after Warriors Klay Thompson and Curry, who average a combined 50.2 points per game.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 10.
Golden State Warriors
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MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. Damian Lillard. The reigning MVP squares off against the two-time All-Star and Oakland High School product. Curry earned the win the last time they met in Portland, putting up 33 points and 10 assists to Lillard’s 29 and five. It’s always a delicious duel, with the very real possibility of a shootout, but Curry clearly has separated himself from the league’s other point guards -– including Lillard.
LAST 10
Warriors: 8-2. Trail Blazers: 4-6.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Stephen Curry is (L shin bruise) is probable. F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) is listed as doubtful. G Leandro Barbosa (L shoulder sprain) is listed as out.
Trail Blazers: No injuries reported.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including three-game sweeps in two of the last three seasons.