The Golden State Warriors turned back a challenge from Portland on Monday night to pick up a 130-120 home win, as both sides took another step toward different postseason fates.
After a quick start by the Blazers, Golden State moved into the lead midway through the first quarter and never lost their grip.
Golden State took a 19-point lead into halftime only to see Portland fight back to within 94-90 late in the third quarter after Deni Avdija drilled a 3-pointer, followed by Duop Reath getting to the rim for an easy two.
Golden State regained command of the game early in the fourth on a 3-pointer by Buddy Hield, followed by a fastbreak alley-oop dunk by Gary Payton II.
Avdija finished with a game-high 34 points on 11-of-15 (73.3%) shooting, while Payton II led the Warriors with 26 points off the bench.
Golden State (37-28) moved into the No. 6 seed with the win, while Portland fell to 28-38 on the season and sits five games out of the last play-in spot.
Portland hosts New York at 7 p.m. Wednesday to start a seven-game home stand.