Warriors thump Spurs
■ Score easy 141- 102 win, Harden extends scoring streak
Los Angeles, Feb. 7: The Golden State Warriors eased to the top of the Western Conference on Wednesday, outclassing an under- strength San Antonio Spurs to score a comprehensive 141- 102 win at the Oracle Arena.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich rested star players LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan citing “load management”, and could only watch as the powerful Warriors romped away with an emphatic win.
The reigning NBA champions started with five NBA All- Stars in their line- up — Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry — and had opened up a 66- 52 lead at half- time.
An explosive third quarter saw the Warriors outscore their opponents by 49- 31 to make the fourth quarter a formality.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr was satisfied at the ruthless streak shown by his side against their depleted opponents.
“Reality kind of set in in terms of the talent disparity with their guys being out,” Kerr said.
Thompson led the scoring with 26 points for the Warriors, with Durant posting 23 points and Curry 19. Cousins also had 15 points while Kevon Looney and Andre Iguodala had 11 off the bench.
The Warriors now lead the West with 38 wins and 15 losses, pulling 1.5 games clear of secondplaced Denver, who suffered a 135- 130 defeat to Brooklyn.
D’Angelo Russell once again led the scoring for the Nets with 27 points on a night when seven players cracked double digits for Brooklyn. The defeat left Denver second in the West with a record of 37- 17.
Elsewhere James Harden extended his redhot scoring streak as the Houston Rockets overwhelmed the Sacramento Kings on the road.
Harden scored 36 points in a 127- 101 win for the Rockets, the reigning MVP’s 28th straight game where he has scored 30 points or more.
Gerald Green added 25 from the bench while starters Eric Gordon ( 20) and Chris Paul ( 15) backed Harden with useful contributions.