The Warriors won Friday night, doing so exactly as they might have drawn it up.
They took a double-digit first half lead and never lost it, allowing interim coach Luke Walton to rest Stephen Curry in the fourth quarter of a 128-108 victory over the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland.
Klay Thompson had another sizzling first quarter -– 19 points -– on his way to a team-high 36 points. Stephen Curry poured in 26, Brandon Rush tossed in 20 and Draymond Green added 11.
In becoming the first team in league history to go 34-2, the Warriors posted at least 70 points in a half for the fifth time this season, holding the Blazers (15-24) to 36.2-percent shooting in taking a 74-52 lead into intermission. They held Portland to 39.6-percent shooting for the game.
The Warriors were credited with 36 assists, the 18th time this season they have achieved at least 30. No other team in the NBA has more than six.
The Warriors also shot 56.2 percent from 3-point distance, making 18-of-32.
All-Star guard Damian Lilliard led the Trail Blazers with 40 points and 10 assists.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
The honor on this night easily could go to any one of the mainstays –- Curry, Thompson and Green –- but we’re giving it to Rush.
Rush’s 20 points (on 8-of-9 shooting, 4-of-4 from deep) are the most he has scored in nearly four years –- since April 22, 2012 at Minnesota. He was confident and aggressive, the best he has looked in a comeback season.
Curry’s line: 26 points (8-of-18, 4-of-11) and nine assists.
Thompson’s line: 36 points (13-of-22, 7-of-10), six rebounds and five assists.
Green’s line: 11 points (4-of-6, 0-of-2), 13 rebounds and 10 assists -- his NBA-leading eight triple-double of the season.
TURNING POINT
After a steal and dunk by Allen Crabbe pulled the Blazers within eight, 40-32, with 9:58 left in the second quarter, the Warriors responded with a 13-3 run to go up 53-35 with 6:31 left in the quarter.
Ian Clark, from whom Crabbe swiped the ball, bounced back to block a Crabbe shot and drain a pair of 3-pointers during the run.
The Blazers got no closer than 13 the rest of the game.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: Forward James Michael McAdoo (left foot toe sprain), listed as doubtful, was declared out prior to tipoff. Guard Leandro Barbosa (left shoulder sprain) was listed as out.
Blazers: No injuries were reported.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to California late Friday night, and will face the Kings on Saturday evening at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
