However, the Warriors offense can put up 120 points or more on the Mavericks defense.
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The Golden State Warriors took advantage of a short-handed Dallas Mavericks squad to record a 52nd consecutive home-court victory, riding another record-setting 3-point-shooting performance to a hard-earned 128-120 win.
“We definitely proved we can play with them and we proved we can beat them, ” guard Raymond Felton said.
Thompson said it was an issue of not following the game plan. “Our shooting is second to none”.
With Thompson’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter the Warriors broke Houston’s record for most 3-pointers by a team in a season.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was among those looking forward to the pregame moment.
At their current pace, the Warriors will finish the season with 1,068 3-pointers and become the first team to finish with more than 1,000 made treys.
“That was wonderful”, he said. “It’s a night I won’t forget”. They know they stunk on defense and almost got bit by the Mavericks, who were playing without Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, Chandler Parsons or Devin Harris. 500 at 35-37, even with the Utah Jazz for eighth in the West standings. “We never quit, we were right there against the best team in the league. The important thing now is getting there”. There’s still 10 games to go, guys.
The Mavericks trailed by as many as 18 points before rallying within 102-94 by scoring the first five points of the fourth quarter. Dallas players point to their December 30 rout of the Warriors without focusing too much on the minor detail that reigning MVP Stephen Curry sat out that game. The defensive intensityand offensive aggressiveness (or lack thereof) on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks were indicative of a team trying to secure a win while expending as little energy as possible. Unfortunately, while all three had excellent games, the Warriors needed those performancesto escape with a win.
“It was one of the strangest games we’ve had this year when you look at the stats”, Kerr analyzed. They have the ability to go small, but also can play big with the Warriors.
Rockets 112, Raptors 109: HOUSTON – James Harden had his third triple-double this season with 32 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds to help Houston snap a three-game skid. Guard Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers had established the previous record of 30 during the 1971-72 season.
Warrior Klay Thompson, one half of the Curry-partnered “Splash Brothers”, wasn’t so lucky when he was left red faced after celebrating what he believed was going to be another Curry three-pointer from the corner against the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson raised his arms in celebration and started back down to the other end of the court, so sure that Curry would make the open 3. I thought Cuban would’ve learned that lesson by now.
Jabari Parker led Milwaukee with 19 points. The only starter who wasn’t in double figures was Salah Mejri, who started at center and scored one point.
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The Mavericks are an interesting matchup for the Warriors. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 18 rebounds. He finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Golden State started the season by winning their first 24 games, which is the best start in National Basketball Association history. Bradley Beal topped Washington (35-37) with 26 points.
