The Warriors improved their league-best record to 41-4 and pushed their Western Conference lead over the Spurs (38-7) to three games.
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Chants of “M-V-P” came from every corner of the arena as Curry did it all for his highest-scoring total in 17 games against San Antonio.
The Warriors coach wants a team that can destroy the Spurs one night – as the Warriors did Monday – and then essentially skip a real practice the next day in order to rest, laugh and play loud music. Golden State Warriors made history by moving up to 41-4 start, a record held by the Chicago Bulls of 1995-96. 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. Curry had five steals against the Spurs, who had a season-high 25 turnovers.
All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard scored 16 points for the sloppy Spurs, with Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala guarding him early.
Golden State scored 32 points off the Spurs’ 26 turnovers.
Curry crushed the Spurs with three more 3-pointers in the third period, during which the Warriors ran up a 95-66 lead to set the stage for an inconsequential final 12 minutes. This core has been together for a while and understands how to mentally prepare for nights like this.”TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Southwest (Dallas), CSN Bay Area (Golden State)ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (26-21): The Mavericks are just 7-8 in January and were pushed to the end by the lowly Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday before escaping with a 92-90 road victory”. For the Warriors, Brandon Rush was a bright spot. It was the most points San Antonio has allowed all season (30 above the team average), and it was the Spurs’ largest loss of the season. After their loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Warriors humiliated the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are leading the Eastern Conference, shut down the fourth place Chicago Bulls, narrowly beat the Indiana Pacers and crushed the San Antonio Spurs, adding another impressive win to their incredible season.
The Spurs won two of three meetings against the Warriors past year and have won an incredible 20-plus straight games when the teams have met in San Antonio. Led by the most confident player in the National Basketball Association, the Warriors thrive in chaos, confusing and demoralizing opponents who seem a step or three behind. It will be the ninth game Duncan misses this season and fourth because of his ailing right knee.
“They outplayed us in every single aspect of the game”, reserve guard Manu Ginobili told reporters. They won in a 120-90 thrashing Monday night, treating the vaunted Spurs as if they were any other opposing team coming into Oracle Arena to face annihilation.
“I love Pop, he’s my guy”, Kerr smiled, “but I don’t feel that bad right now”. Kerr coached his second game back following a long leave of absence dating to October 1 because of complications following two back operations. I don’t think there was one area in which it was close.
“You have to kind of take your ego out of it sometimes and just say, ‘Look, leave it alone”.
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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.
