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Like the Cleveland Cavaliers a day prior, the Golden State Warriors faced far more resistance than expected in their playoff opener. And just like Cleveland, Golden State did what champions do: battened down the hatches with the game on the line and got the job done.
Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Stephen Curry added 29, as the Warriors overcame sterling performances from CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard on their way to a 121-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Golden State's 16th win in its last 17 games came with a much higher degree of difficulty than the pregame 15-point spread predicted.