Warriors 99, Trail Blazers 88
PORTLAND -- Klay Thompson poured in 24 points as the Golden State Warriors locked up the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 99-88 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at the Rose Garden in both teams' final regular-season game.
David Lee added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors (47-35), who will face Denver in the first round of the postseason.
LaMarcus Aldridge collected 30 points and a season-high 21 rebounds for Portland (33-49) despite sitting for the entire fourth quarter. It was the 13th straight loss for the Trail Blazers, matching the franchise record set in 1971-72.
Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Damian Lillard scored 21 points for Portland.
Stephen Curry scored 15 points and was 4-for-11 from 3-point range, passing Ray Allen (Seattle, 2005-06) to set an NBA single-season record for 3-pointers with 272.
Golden State used a sizable edge in rebounds (52-42) and points in the paint (42-34) to wear down the Blazers, who were without starters Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews due to injuries.
Portland scored the first six points of the third quarter to cut a 14-point halftime deficit to 50-42, then closed to within 66-63 on Sasha Pavlovic's 3-pointer as the period ended.
The Warriors' lead was 76-73 when they went on a 10-2 run for an 86-75 lead with 5:20 remaining.
Golden State led 24-17 after one quarter despite shooting only 34.6 percent from the field. Aldridge kept the Blazers in it with 14 points and eight rebounds in the quarter.
The Warriors increased the lead to 44-29 and took a 50-36 advantage into intermission. Thompson led the way with 12 points while Aldridge had 18 points and 12 boards at the break.
NOTES: Warriors coach Mark Jackson on Curry: "He's the absolute best" shooter in the league, "The discussion is for who's in second place. The run he has put together, the season he has had, has been a thing of beauty." ... Jackson endorses Warriors guard Jarrett Jack for Sixth Man of the Year. "Jarrett's presence, his poise, his leadership, his consistency have put us in position to be a playoff team," Jackson said. "He has played a crucial part in our success, and he closes games. He's been a steal for us." ... Andrew Bogut (ankle) was available for Golden State, but Jackson said he would prefer not to use forward Draymon Green (knee) unless necessary. Bogut played 17 minutes, but Green did not play... Aldridge (ankle) played, joining J.J. Hickson and rookies Lillard, Victor Claver and Will Barton in the starting lineup.... Coach Terry Stotts' on the Blazers' rough finish: "The losing streak has been tough, but we're trying to take some positives. Our rookies have gotten a lot of important experience. Three weeks ago, we were in a playoff hunt. It's a letdown in that context. We've had to move on and put the priorities on getting the young guys some time."