Curry breaks out of slump, helps Warriors beat Suns
PHOENIX (AP) — Make it 18 wins in a row for the Golden State Warriors over the Phoenix Suns.
The latest, though, was no cakewalk for the reigning NBA champions.
Stephen Curry shook off a poor shooting performance by scoring 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and the Warriors finally broke open a tight game to beat the Suns 117-107 on Friday night.
Klay Thompson scored 25 points for the Warriors. Kevin Durant added 21 points and DeMarcus Cousins 18.
“They totally outplayed us all night,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “The only reason we won is because we have a lot more talent, obviously.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 25 points and Deandre Ayton 23 for Phoenix, which was without scoring leader Devin Booker due to a tight right hamstring.
Mikal Bridges and Josh Jackson added 19 apiece for the Suns, who led 85-82 entering the final quarter.
Golden State’s Draymond Green was ejected after drawing his second technical between the third and fourth quarters.
The matchup of the teams at the top and bottom of the Western Conference standings was a lot closer than anticipated — and in large part because it took Curry a while to find his stroke.
Through three quarters, Curry was 2-of-12 shooting, including 1 of 8 on 3-pointers. But in the fourth quarter, he was 4 of 5, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.
“We can compete,” said Ayton, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. “We’re maturing even though we’re young. We can challenge any team. Don’t mind our record, there’s a lot of guys with a lot of great potential and we could actually make a dynasty team.”
Down 94-88, Golden State took control with a 13-0 run — capped by Curry’s 3-pointer that put the Warriors up 101-94 with 5:46 remaining. Richaun Holmes’ tip-in cut the lead to 101-98 with 4:58 left. But Curry responded with another 3 and Golden State pulled away from there.
“I think we just started making shots,” Durant said. “They played extremely hard. “
Phoenix shot out to a 26-9 lead but the Warriors cut it to 31-26 after one quarter.
Green’s driving layup capped a 13-3 Golden State run that put the Warriors up 60-51 before Oubre’s tip-in sliced the Warriors’ lead to 60-53 at the break.
Phoenix opened the second half with an 11-4 spurt to tie it at 64, and it stayed tight the rest of the third quarter. Oubre made one free throw with 4.9 seconds left, missed the second and grabbed the rebound for a dunk that put the Suns up 85-82 entering the final quarter.
“Sometimes in this league, it can be ugly for 44 minutes and the last four you kind of revitalize your team,” Thompson said, “and that’s what Steph and DeMarcus did, K.D., and any win you get in this league you have to be grateful for.”
Suns coach Igor Kokoskov liked his team’s effort, but said the Warriors’ ability and experience came through in the end.
“They were so precise in late switch, miscommunication, late shifts from the weak side, they made us pay,” he said. “It’s just a learning experience for young guys. And it’s a poised veteran team, a team with a high IQ. They knew how to close a game.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Their 18-game win streak against Phoenix is the second-longest active streak against a single opponent behind only Oklahoma City’s 21-game run against Philadelphia. … Warriors have won 11 consecutive road wins. … Golden State drew three first-half technical: on Green, Cousins and Shaun Livingston.
Suns: Booker missed his 15th game of the season. … Phoenix also was without T.J. Warren (right ankle soreness) and De’Anthony Melton (right ankle sprain). … Ayton’s 818 points through 50 games are third-most in team history, behind Walter Davis (1,169) and Alvan Adams (935).
UP NEXT
Warriors: host Miami on Sunday night.
Suns: at Sacramento on Sunday.
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The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.
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