Champs Golden State hit their stride in style

Beal, Morris on the rampage as Wizards put on a show

The Golden State Warriors delivered a message on Saturday that the defending league champions are back on form with a dominating 135-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Philadelphia had won five of its last six, but found itself hopelessly outgunned in the second half against the Warriors, who extended their winning streak to six games.

All six wins have been by 17 or more points, the longest such streak in franchise history.

Forward Kevin Durant returned from a one game absence to lead all scorers with 29 points. Klay Thompson had 23 and Stephen Curry 22 for the Warriors, who shot 58.5 per cent from the field. Durant sat out Wednesday’s game against Minnesota with a sore left thigh.

Elsewhere, Bradley Beal and Markieff Morris combined for 37 points as the Washington Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-94.

Beal tallied 19 points and Morris 18 as the Wizards improved to 7-5 on the NBA season.

Kelly Oubre also had 18 points for the Wizards, who won back-to-back games for the first time since opening the season 3-0.

In Houston, James Harden scored 38 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-96.

Harden made 11 of 25 shots, including six three-pointers. Eric Gordon also hit six threepointers and added 26 points for the Rockets.