NBA: Curry scores 29 as Warriors eliminate Blazers

(REUTERS) - Stephen Curry bombed in a three-pointer with 24.9 seconds remaining as the Golden State Warriors held off the Portland Trail Blazers 125-121 to seal the Western Conference semi-final play-off series four games to one.

The Warriors, who advanced to the Western finals for the second year in a row, await the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder-San Antonio Spurs semi-final.

Should the Thunder eliminate the Spurs in Game 6 on Thursday, the best-of-seven Western finals would begin on Monday in Oakland.

The fifth-seeded Trail Blazers gave the Warriors a battle in Game 5, leading early by as many as 11 and hanging within 118-116 with the basketball inside the final 50 seconds.

However, Klay Thompson harassed Damian Lillard into a miss from 17 feet, and Curry, freeing himself above the top of the key, nailed a 25-footer for the back-breaking hoop that put Golden State up 121-116.

Curry capped a 29-point game with four free throws in the final 18.2 seconds, helping Golden State record their eighth victory in 10 play-off games this year.

Thompson led the Warriors with 33 points, hitting 13 of 17 from the field and six of nine three-point attempts.

Curry's 29 points were a result of 10-for-20 shooting, including 5-for-11 on three-pointers.

Draymond Green added a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Shaun Livingston added 10 points for the Warriors, who have won seven straight at home over the Trail Blazers.

Lillard topped Portland with 28 points, but he shot just 7-for-24. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists.

Backcourt mate C.J. McCollum came alive in the fourth quarter to finish with 27 points on 11-for-23 shooting.

Allen Crabbe (20), Al-Farouq Aminu (16) and Moe Harkless (13) also scored in double figures for Portland, who were playing their first-ever play-off series against Golden State.

Portland made 16 of their 36 three-point shots, outscoring the Warriors 48-42 from beyond the arc.