Howard Lao/Associated Press

Howard Lao/Associated Press

PORTLAND — If the Golden State Warriors finish the season positioned in the Western Conference play-in tournament, they’ll be the No. 7 seed — as ensured Friday night by the Denver Nuggets.

In order to secure a seven-game series, there’s work to do Sunday at Chase Center.

The Warriors rolled the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Friday night, winning 103-86 to maintain sixth-place standing in the Western Conference playoff race. Stephen Curry played through a sore right thumb — he left the court for a few minutes in the first half — to gather 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.

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Jimmy Butler had 24 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals, shooting 11 of 11 from the free-throw line. 

Buddy Hield added four 3-pointers, eclipsing 200 triples for the seventh season. Gary Payton II (two points, three rebounds, two steals) and Quinten Post (10 points, two 3-pointers) returned to the lineup for Golden State (48-33) after missing the last two games with right knee inflammation and an illness, respectively.

The Nuggets beat the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, relegating them to the play-in tournament. The Warriors host the fifth-place Los Angeles Clippers in the season finale. 

If they win, they’ll secure a series. If they lose, they’ll likely host the Grizzlies (unless the Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the tanking Utah Jazz), against whom they wield the tiebreaker. 

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The Trail Blazers played without Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, leaving little concern for Golden State — save for Curry’s apparent thumb injury.

He left toward the end of the first quarter after banging it into Justin Minaya’s knee and returned atop the second quarter to a 32-24 lead. The Warriors closed it 18-13 for a 50-37 halftime lead.

Hield had four triples in the first half as Curry scored 10 and Post provided a seven-point burst.

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A dunk from Jimmy Butler punctuated a 17-5 run with which the Warriors opened the second half. Jabari Walker led Portland (35-46) with 19 points. Golden State’s starters, save for Brandin Podziemski, played fewer than 30 minutes apiece.

Reach Sam Gordon: [email protected]