The Spurs, who also sport the NBA’s best defence, had no answer for Stephen Curry as he exploded for 37 points – and he didn’t even play the fourth quarter because the Warriors’ lead was so big.
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Leonard, in the midst of a career year with 20 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, was in a dead heat with the Warriors Green for West’s All-Star starting lineup until a late surge of votes from fans last week. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 39 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Golden State Warriors are 20-0 at home this year, while the Spurs are riding the league’s longest winning streak.
The Spurs committed a Season high 26 turnovers which lead to 19 GSW points and seemed very rattled throughout the whole game. The Spurs recent play has people questioning whether the Warriors are truly the best team but we will find out more on Monday night.
Things did not get any better for the Spurs when Curry got back on the court, as Golden State walked into halftime up 62-47. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant have quietly carried the Thunder to the 4th best winning percentage in the league.
The Warriors made 11 three point shots against the Spurs, six of which came from Curry.
While Golden State might be on a historic roll, they actually have a poor record against the Spurs, according the Mercury News. His 3-point shooting is really, really good.
The Spurs came in leading the National Basketball Association in average point differential with 14.5 heading into Monday night.
Kerr mentioned that the Spurs use Leonard similarly to how the Warriors use their ultra-versatile star, Draymond Green. Defensively, the Warriors yield 102.6 points against the opposing teams.
Today the top two teams in the western conference will do battle for ultimate supremacy in what could be one of the games of the season.
Popovich joked about getting fired after the game but mostly he looked a little bit stunned at how it all went down.
They will get their greetings, handshakes and hugs, then coach on opposite sidelines in what could be one of the most entertaining games yet this season.
While you can argue all you want about the validity of Kerr’s statement, there is no denying that Leonard has turned himself into one of the most devastating players on both sides of the ball in the league.
Pals Kerr and Gregg Popovich spoke by phone Thursday night once Kerr’s return from a lengthy leave of absence following back surgery had been set, and just in time to face mentor Popovich and red-hot San Antonio.
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He also grabbed 12 rebounds and scored all nine of the Kings’ points in the first overtime before fouling out on a questionable call while putting back a rebound with 3:29 remaining in the second overtime.
