Golden State’s ability to win in tough situations was highlighted Saturday when the Warriors outlasted the Kings 128-116 in Sacramento. It’s the kind of highlight that stands on its own, like a fantastic poster-dunk. The Warriors were definitely the better of the two last time around, winning all three meetings in their championship 2014-15 season. Draymond Green finished with 25 while Klay Thompson had a relatively quiet 15. Curry had 14 in the fourth to hold off the Kings and complete an unbeaten three-game road trip. They shot 52.7 percent from the field despite a 2-of-10 outing for Harrison Barnes and made 56.3 percent (18-of-32) of their long-range attempts with 36 assists on 46 field goals. He made 12 of 21 shots, including 8 of 14 3-pointers. Many of Portland’s players struggled from the field, but Damian Lillard was able to get going for a game-high 40 points.
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The Blazers got no closer than 13 the rest of the game. Reggie Jackson supplied 23 points and eight assists and Ersan Ilyasova notched his second double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Lillard was playing in just his third game back since missing seven with left foot plantar fasciitis.
Indeed, the Warriors had just withstood an exhausting double-overtime game against the Boston Celtics less than 24 hours prior.
The reigning NBA MVP has been roughed up and is fighting through bumps, bruises and strains in his lower body, but a shin contusion won’t be enough to keep Curry out as the Warriors face the Blazers on Saturday AEDT.
Hayward scored a season-high 34 points and Utah beat the Miami Heat 98-83 to break a three-game losing streak.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) hits a 3-point shot over Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Jan. 8, 2016.
“Obviously they’re on pace to have the best record ever, and I think they’ll likely get it”, Portland coach Terry Stotts said. Overall, the Clippers are 20-8 when the five-time All-Star has sat out due to injury or suspension – including 9-6 last season. With those rough exploratory minutes out of the way, Ezeli didn’t take long to get going on Saturday. While the first two games this season have injuries to blame for DeMarcus being absent, December 28th’s contest can be blamed on one thing and one thing alone: DeMarcus Amir Cousins.
After Sacramento blew a 27-point lead to the Lakers on Thursday, the Kings are looking to establish a defensive identity. Their success this season has been all without their head coach, Steve Kerr, and all under the helm of interim head coach, Luke Walton.
PHILADELPHIA – Kyle Lowry scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and DeMar DeRozan added 19 to lead Toronto over Philadelphia.
Jeremy Lin had 26 points for the Hornets, who have lost a season-worst six in a row and seven straight on the road. “That’s the key when you come into this arena, especially against a talented offensive team like they are”.
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Ian Mahinmi scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked a career-high four shots, as the Indiana Pacers overcame a season-high 24 turnovers to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 91-86 at the Smoothie King Centre.
