Curry, Thompson shoot Warriors past Trail Blazers in Game 1

May 14 (UPI) -- The Golden State Warriors cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers with a 116-94 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night.

The Blazers kept the contest close in the first half, but Curry drained two consecutive 3-pointers in the final minute of the second quarter to give the Warriors a nine-point lead at halftime.

Curry carried that momentum into the second half as he finished with 36 points (12-of-23 shooting), seven assists and six rebounds in 35 minutes to guide the Warriors to a 1-0 series lead. He shot 9-of-15 from 3-point range.

"Steph got free and had a big night," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "He carried us at times and obviously that was a big part of the game."

Curry boosted the Warriors' lead to 17 after another 3-point make in the third. Klay Thompson, who scored 26 points on 10-of-24 shooting, aided Curry in Golden State's outburst from beyond the arc. The Warriors converted 17-of-33 tries (51.5 percent) from deep.

The Warriors continued to play without star forward Kevin Durant, who missed his second straight game due to a right calf strain. Draymond Green had a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds. CJ McCollum had 17 points, three boards and an assist. The backcourt duo combined to shoot 11-for-31 against Golden State's defense.

Rodney Hood, who played despite a bone bruise in his left knee, scored 17 points in 26 minutes off the bench. Maurice Harkless also scored 17 points, and Enes Kanter had 10 points and 16 rebounds.

Game 2 is Thursday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.