Curry, Wiggins, Warriors earn statement win
Stephen Curry scored 32 points and Andrew Wiggins had 28 as the Golden State Warriors beat the Utah Jazz, 131-119, Sunday afternoon at Chase Center.
Not only did the win snap a four-game losing streak, it also served as a signature win over the team with the best record in the league and proof of concept for coach Steve Kerr’s revamped
rotation.
Two straight days of practice before Sunday’s 1 p.m. PT tip allowed the Warriors time to iron out a new rotation that included more minutes for rookie center
James Wiseman and a bench unit that featured a backcourt of second-year guard Jordan Poole and rookie Nico Mannion.
After getting out to a 33-22 lead in the first quarter, Poole checked in and had 10 points in the second quarter to help maintain Golden State’s lead. By the third quarter, that lead was extended by as many as 15 points.
The Warriors did well to limit Utah’s offense that leads the league in 3-point shooting. On Sunday, the Jazz went 15-for-44 on 3-point attempts. Though All-Stars Donovan Mitchell (24 points), Rudy Gobert (24 points) and Mike Conley (23 points), and presumptive Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson added 21 points off the bench, the rest of the Jazz struggled to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Wiggins may
have had his best game in a Warriors uniform. He scored a season-high by using a variety of finishes, making 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and defended Mitchell well. In addition to scoring 32 points on 10for-20 shooting (including 6-for-9 from 3-point range), Curry had nine assists and five rebounds.
Poole finished with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including a key 3-pointer late in the game to give Golden State a cushion after the Jazz cut the lead to one. Wiseman had 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting and four rebounds in 23 minutes.
This was a significant win for the Warriors, who not only get back to over .500 at 20-19, but also earned some much-needed confidence for a crucial stretch and playoff push that continues Monday night against the Lakers. 76ERS 134. SPURS 99 >> Tobias Harris scored 23 points, Seth Curry had 21 and Philadelphia won its first game since Joel Embiid was lost with an injury, beating San Antonio.
The Sixers’ hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference appears tenuous with Embiid out for at least two weeks with a bone bruise on his left knee. Embiid had emerged
as an MVP candidate, averaging 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds in 31 games until he was injured Friday night at Washington. THUNDER 128, GRIZZLIES 122 >> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and Aleksej Pokusevski had a career-high 23, helping Oklahoma City beat Memphis.
Kenrich Williams added 17 points.
HEAT 102, MAGIC 97 >> Jimmy Butler scored 29 points and Tyler Herro added 22 off the bench as Miami rallied in the fourth quarter and beat Orlando.
HAWKS 100, CAVALIERS 82 >> John Collins scored 22 points, Danilo Gallinari had 20 and Atlanta beat Cleveland for its fifth consecutive victory under interim coach Nate McMillan.
CELTICS 134, ROCKETS 107 >> Jaylen Brown scored 24 points and Jayson Tatum added 23 as Boston coasted to a win over struggling Houston. TIMBERWOLVES 114, TRAIL BLAZERS 112 >> Anthony Edwards scored a careerhigh 34 points and shorthanded Minnesota held on to beat Portland.
BULLS 118, RAPTORS 95 >> Rookie Patrick Williams had a career-best 23 points to lead Chicago past Toronto.
PELICANS 135, CLIPPERS 115
Zion Williamson scored 27 points, Brandon Ingram added 23 and New Orleans took its second straight lopsided victory.