The Warriors (35-2) beat the Kings (15-22) for the 12th consecutive time – one off the franchise record set when the Philadelphia Warriors won a franchise-best 13 in a row from February 14, 1959-Nov.
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“Obviously, they’re on pace to have the best record ever and I think they’ll get it”, Stotts said of the Warriors challenging the 1995-96 Bulls, who own the best regular season record at 72-10.
Green came back into the game in the fourth quarter for an assist to secure his NBA-leading eighth triple-double of the season with 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Golden State is off to the best 36-game start in history at 34-2 after Friday’s 128-108 rout at Portland.
Fortunately for the Warriors, Cousins’ bugaboo – a propensity to get in foul trouble at the worst moments – probably cost the Kings a chance for an upset. But James Harden and the Rockets are playing their best basketball of the season right now. Brandon Rush added on to that shooting spree with a 20 point performance. They’re not a replicable model and finding their Kryptonite has proven hard for the rest of the league. I don’t see any signs of (them) letting up.
Cousins has had major issues with both Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli in the past. I approve of all quotes that spice up the 82-game season, but Klay, please don’t go Cavs fan on us with that injury stuff.
“I knew I would get it going eventually”, Lillard said.
Curry’s line: 26 points (8-of-18, 4-of-11) and nine assists. He was 5-5 from the field in the second and third quarters, with only one of those baskets a three.
Last year’s MVP has been battling a shin injury, but he was on top form against the Kings, making eight three-pointers. In his third game back after missing seven games with plantar fasciitis, Portland’s All-Star point guard went for a season-high 40 points (albeit on 12-for-27 shooting) and 10 assists. Green earned a max-contract over the summer and now looks as though he is a first team All-NBA talent.
“It’s silly when he’s hitting shots like that”, Warriors interim coach Luke Walton said. The Kings were able to keep the score relatively close for the majority of the game, but a third quarter surge by Golden State ended up being the main difference to why the Warriors came out victorious. “And pretty much worked on my game, and everything’s going the right way”. This may require Curry to sit out a game or two in the coming weeks, but beyond that it’s nothing for the Warriors to worry about. “As far as preparation, when Steve’s with us, he’s very involved”, Walton said.
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Thompson turned in a second straight 36-point effort with seven 3-pointers, scoring 19 in the first quarter. The Kings didn’t adjust when Draymond Green got hot from three; it seemed as though the gameplan was to let him shoot the ball, but after he hit four in a row that plan should have been scrapped.
