Golden State stakes a claim
Kevin Durant patted his chest after two big baskets in the fourth quarter and let everybody know “I got this!” Stephen Curry knocked down a timely baseline 3-pointer, reached his hand high and gestured to further ignite a raucous sellout crowd.
Durant had 32 points and 10 rebounds in his Golden State playoff debut, Curry scored 29 points, and the Warriors withstood a sensational day by the visiting Trail Blazers’ dynamic backcourt duo to win Game 1, 121-109.
CJ McCollum scored a playoff career-best 41 points, and Damian Lillard had 34, but the Warriors made the crucial big plays on both ends down the stretch.
“When they got it going, they’re hitting tough shots in the first half, some you’ve just got to live with, we played great defense,” Curry said.
Durant shot 12 for 20, showing no issues with a recent left knee injury that sidelined him for 19 games before he returned for the final three regular-season contests.
Other game
Bulls 106, Celtics 102: Jimmy Butler had 30 points and nine rebounds as visiting Chicago outlasted Boston. Butler scored 23 points in the second half.
Wizards 114, Hawks 107: John Wall scored a playoff career-high 32 points with 14 assists as host Washington rebounded from a rough second quarter to beat Atlanta in Game 1.
Rockets 118, Thunder 87: James Harden scored 37 points, his 13th 30-point career playoff game, to lead Houston to a rout of visiting Oklahoma City. Patrick Beverley added 21 points for the Rockets in the win.