The Golden State Warriors had no issues rolling over the Portland Trail Blazers in 116-94 win in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals. The Trail Blazers looked fatigued, which was expected after they went toe-to-toe with the Denver Nuggets for seven games and then had just one day off. Will they be more competitive in Game 2?

NBA Playoffs Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Trail Blazers are just 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games played on one day of rest. However, Portland is also 5-2 ATS in its last seven games following a straight up loss. The Trail Blazers also split the four-game regular season series with the Warriors as they bounce back at Oracle Arena on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have also dominated the NBA’s Northwest Division of late, going 5-1 ATS in its last six games versus opponents from that division. Golden State is 9-4 against the spread in its last 13 games versus teams with winning percentages above .600.

Portland Trail Blazers

If Portland is going to have any shot at winning Game 2 on the road, the team’s biggest stars will need to step up and start hitting their baskets. Damian Lillard, who is an Oakland native and arrived at the arena wearing an Athletics’ jersey, was just 4-of-12 from the field despite scoring a team-high 19 points. C.J. McCollum had 17 points but was just 7-of-19 from the field. The Trail Blazers need more out of that tandem in order to have a shot at even keeping it close in Game 2.

Portland’s big men aren’t nearly as dangerous in this series. However, if Enes Kanter can provide a little more efficiency inside then it would certainly help the Trail Blazers chances. Portland struggled to slow down the Warriors stars throughout Game 1 as Steph Curry picked them apart and then created opportunities for everyone else. With fresher legs, this team should put forth a better effort in Game 2 and keep this closer.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors had no problem lighting up that Portland defense in Game 1. Curry led the way with a game-high 36 points, seven assists and six rebounds. He was hitting shots from everywhere and if there were any injuries bothering him in the previous round, they clearly didn’t carry over into the conference finals. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson chipped in with 26 points despite going just 3-of-9 from beyond the arc. With Kevin Durant sidelined, Draymond Green stepped up again in Game 1 with 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He’s been on fire since Durant went out and has been a huge asset to the team.

It also helped that the Warriors got 36 points from their bench, including nine points from Jonas Jerebko and eight points from Quinn Cook. Golden State doesn’t want to waste any time or energy trying to get to the NBA Finals for the fifth straight season. Expect Curry and company to come out firing on all cylinders from the outset and score enough points to win and cover at home in Game 2.