Stephen Curry scored 36 points as the Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 116-94 to lead their Western Conference Finals series 1-0.
Curry added six assists and was nine from 15 on three-point attempts – scoring back-to-back as the Warriors took a 54-45 lead into half-time.
Klay Thompson added 26 for the Warriors, who used 13 players in the contest at the Oracle Arena.
Postseason #SPLASH💦 career high — tied. Tonight's Statline of the Game, presented by @zoom_us pic.twitter.com/wCNBJoKw6a — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 15, 2019
Damian Lillard top-scored for Portland with 19 while CJ McCollum added 17.
The winner of the best-of-seven series will go on to play either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors.
1️⃣ @dg_riff #BirdStrikes pic.twitter.com/a9vZ6omGZl — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 15, 2019
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans will get the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft – their second number one pick in eight years.
The Memphis Grizzlies will pick second, while the New York Knicks will go third in the draft which takes place on June 20.
Fourteen teams who missed the play-offs – with the exception of those who traded a draft pick – were entered into the draw.
The Pelicans, who opted for Anthony Davis with their last number one pick in 2012, are now in pole position to land the highly-rated Zion Williamson.
Fourth selection will go to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers will take fifth and the Phoenix Suns sixth.
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