It wasn't as easy as many thought it would be, but the Golden State Warriors pulled away from the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter for a 121-109 win in Game 1 of their first round series.
With the score tied, the Warriors ripped off a 13-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter to build their first double-digit lead of the game, then held on for the win.
Ian Clark scored seven points off the bench during that run, and finished the game with 12 points. Kevin Durant led the way for Golden State with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Stephen Curry added another 29 points.
However, Draymond Green (17 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists) may have been the most important player in the game for the Warriors, leading their stingy defensive effort in the second half with three steals and five blocks.
Noah Vonleh thought he had a dunk...@Money23Green had other ideas!!! #DubNation #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0LqKgZoceJ
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 16, 2017
.@Money23Green comes up with another HUGE block, swatting Damian Lillard at the rim! #DubNation #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/IWD8qx2JdI
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 16, 2017
As well as the Warriors played, Portland made them sweat most of the night but were never able to take total control. C.J. McCollum stole the show in the first half, tying a Trail Blazers franchise record with 27 points in the first two quarters. Damian Lillard added 21 points as the duo combined for 48 of Portland's 56 first-half points.
.@CJMcCollum tied a franchise record with 27 pts in the 1st half as the Blazers and Warriors are tied 56-56 at the half! #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Pxi2CsuLkV
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 16, 2017
McCollum finished with 41 points and Lillard put up 34, but they simply didn't get enough help from their teammates. Only two other players made more than one field goal in the game.
Game 2 of this series will be Wednesday at 10:30 pm ET on TNT.
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