Warriors determined to set tone in Game 2

Golden State is hoping to take a 2-0 series lead against the Portland Trailblazers in the Western Conference semifinals matchup.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Andrew Bogut has taken to publicly calling himself unflattering names.

Such was his mood Monday when someone inquired about the Golden State center often appearing mean and nasty. He used another word to basically refer to himself as a jerk — “100 percent,” he said.

As long as Bogut and the defending champion Warriors keep playing the kind of defense that has helped them set the tone so far in these playoffs without MVP Stephen Curry, he won’t even mind if anybody else uses those words to describe him either.

Bogut’s two early blocks got Golden State going during Sunday’s 118-106 win against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The teams resume their best- ofseven series tonight in Oakland.

Also today, the Toronto Raptors host the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

The Warriors again will try to establish an energy and presence on the defensive end from the start. They know their offense will come given this team’s depth and many playmakers.

“It’s very important we don’t give up just layups early in the game,” Bogut said. “We’re trying to protect the paint and make sure they get nothing easy early.”

Bogut wound up with 10 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, and the Warriors have proven they are still a dominant team without Curry, who could return from a sprained right knee as soon as Saturday’s Game 3 in Portland.

The Australian 7- footer takes pride in his unfriendly nature on the court, and he rarely is seen shaking hands with the opponent before the opening tip. That topic led to Coach of the Year Steve Kerr reflecting on a rare road start against the Celtics back when he was a player.

“I think in 15 years I only started like 17 games,” Kerr said Monday. “I started a game in Boston Garden my second year in the league, somebody got hurt, I was with Cleveland. I went out and Larry Bird gave me a fist bump and said, ‘ Good luck, Steve,’ and I almost fainted. It was awesome. Larry Bird knew my name.”

Any lack of pregame pleasantries aside, the Blazers fully understand they can’t afford another slow start after falling behind 37-17 after the first period, which Kerr called “a beautiful quarter.”

Guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined to shoot 13 for 43.