OAKLAND, Calif. -- The excellence known as the Golden State Warriors was on full display Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals as the shooting of Klay Thompson, the play-making of Draymond Green and the collective Warriors defense rolled to a 118-106 victory over the Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena.
[RECAP: Instant Replay: Klay, Warriors cruise past Blazers in Game 1]
Thompson had 37 points, Green a triple double (23 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) and an active and aggressive defense played a role in Blazers' stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum having one of their toughest games of the season. Lillard entered the fourth quarter 3-for-17 from the field with 12 points, before finishing 8-for-25 and with 30 points and five assists. McCollum shot 5-for-17 and finished with 12 points and three assists.
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Game 2 is Tuesday night at Oracle, where the Warriors are 43-2 this season. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry, who is still nursing a sprained right knee, has a "slim" chance to play in Game 2 according to coach Steve Kerr.
[POOLE: Klay takes over without Steph: 'Never going to doubt myself']
The game was never competitive as Golden State raced to an 18-4 lead and later opened cushions as big as 26. The only second-half drama was a double ejection of Blazers wing Gerald Henderson and Golden State center Anderson Varejao and a brief run when the Blazers got to within 14 with 9:25 left.
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