“I hold myself to a high standard and my team mates hold me to that standard”, Curry told reporters after leading the rally from a 23-point deficit to overcome the Clippers. The Warriors defense clamped down on the Clippers to seal the win.
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Curry has not scored less than 20 points in a game this season, while he has scored 30 or more on five occasions, including a 53-point haul against the New Orleans Pelicans last month.
Harrison Barnes canned two 3-pointers in the final 1:15 to give the Warriors another exhausting but also exhilarating victory, 106-94 over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night at Oracle Arena. During last year’s meetings between the guards, Curry dominated Paul and delivered one behind-the-back move that left his rival tied up in knots – an image that lives on in highlight reels. The Warriors won the first game 119-104. Curry had 11 points in the spurt and Barnes added eight.
NOTES: The Warriors are now 4-0 on the second night of back-to-backs this season…. It was heading into crunch time and the Warriors took control. If the Warriors can get past the Nuggets on Sunday, they would have a chance to stand alone at 16-0 with a win on Tuesday over the Lakers.
Los Angeles hit a sizzling 17-of-24 shots, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc en route to a 41-24 lead after the first quarter behind 18 points on 7-7 shooting from Paul.
But Golden State, with Curry and Thompson back in the game, were able to keep the Bulls at bay as the lead stayed at three points for a while.
After the game, Thompson laughed when asked how opponents are supposed to crack this unit.
The Warriors extended their franchise-record win streak to 18 and home win streak to 26. The Warriors have had some close games, sure, but they are still posting a 111.7 offensive rating and 96.7 defensive rating, a 15-point net rating. The Warriors shot 2-for-2 on twos, 5-for-6 on threes, and 6-for-6 on free throws. But Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Festus Ezeli came off the bench to provide some much-needed energy, and Golden State got back to within 29-28 by quarter’s end.
Golden State trailed 68-54 coming out of the intermission and were still trailing by 13 with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Denver allows 101.5 points at home this season.
The California, Pacific Division or Western Conference rivalry – whatever you want to call it – is about as hot as it comes in the National Basketball Association right now. That’s ranked first and seventh in the league, respectively.
The Warriors look to make it 15-0 against the Nuggets on Sunday. Golden State averages 102.1 possessions and 1.119 points per possession. I do need to a better job of that, but it’s hard from my seat when you’re trying to win a game to take Andre off the floor. Denver ranks slightly lower in total assists, at eighth (22.4 per game).
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The Warriors are the best team in the league, by far.
