Written by John Branch at New York Times.com
In a brave attempt to catch up with the rest of the N.B.A.’s Western Conference powerhouses, the Portland Trail Blazers overhauled themselves after last season, when they won 51 games but were quickly vanquished from the playoffs. Through trades and free agency, they purged six of their seven top scorers, including the All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, now with the San Antonio Spurs.
Rebuilt around the young guards Damian Lillard (25.1 points per game this season) and C. J. McCollum (20.8), the Blazers created a quick, deep-shooting team in a loose image of the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry (30.1 points per game) and Klay Thompson (22.1).
What might be a second-round playoff series featuring two of the more entertaining backcourts began Sunday without Curry, out indefinitely with a knee sprain. Still, Game 1 was one-sided, as Thompson single-handedly outplayed Lillard and McCollum. Thompson scored early and often as the Warriors raced out to a quick lead and, ultimately, a 118-106 win at Oracle Arena.
For much of the first quarter, Lillard and McCollum were just as effective as Curry. But he was watching from the bench dressed in a blazer while they were combining to miss their first seven shots.
Thompson, assigned to guard Lillard, had 12 of his game-high 37 points in the first six minutes as the Warriors took an 18-4 lead.
“Not many guys in the league could chase Damian Lillard around for 37 minutes and score 37 points, too,” Golden State Coach Steve Kerr said. “Klay is a tremendous two-way player.”
After Lillard finally scored, and was fouled, on a driving layup with about 30 seconds left in the first quarter, the Blazers still trailed, 34-17.
Thompson immediately responded with his fourth 3-pointer. It gave him 18 points and gave the Warriors a 20-point lead.
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