Warriors regain top spot
PHOENIX — The Warriors kept it close despite being shorthanded, setting the stage for a player to take over down the stretch.
One did — and it wasn’t Stephen Curry. Otto Porter Jr. took late-game honors.
Curry poured in 33 points, Porter scored seven of his 19 during a key late stretch and the Warriors regained the top spot in the NBA from Phoenix, beating the Suns, 116-107, on Saturday.
“I drew up every play, I completely organized every aspect of it,” Warriors coach
Steve Kerr said, sarcastically. “Otto was great. He’s just added so much to our team with his shooting from that position and his rebounding and defense.”
Golden State was missing three of its top four scorers to health and safety protocols: Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole.
Curry carried most of the load, overcoming a mediocre shooting night to crack 20 points for the first time in nine Christmas games. He finished 10 for 27, including 5 for 16 from 3 to help the Warriors end Phoenix’s 15game home winning streak.
Porter hit a step-back 3 and a pair of jumpers in a span of 1:02.
“Coach drew up a couple plays that freed me open,” Porter said. “Did a good job of finding me, was able to find a rhythm.”
The Suns had their chances, keeping it close until the closing minutes in a raucous home atmosphere. They couldn’t close it out, failing to score over the final 3:01 to lose for the third time in 28 games.
Chris Paul scored 21 points with eight assists to take up some of the slack from leading scorer Devin Booker, who was held to 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and Mikal Bridges 17.
WARRIORS SUNS
BUCKS 117, CELTICS 113
Giannis Antetokounmpo said he tried to set low expectations for himself when he returned to action Saturday for the first time since entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Dec. 12.
So much for that.
In front of a national television audience on Christmas, Antetokounmpo put up exactly the kind of numbers one would expect from him — 36 points, 12 rebounds and five assists — and the Bucks rallied in the closing minutes for a victory over the Celtics.
“It feels good,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was excited to be back, excited to be around my teammates and the fans again and excited to play the game.”
Antetokounmpo got off to a slow start and scored seven points before halftime as Milwaukee trailed a COVID-depleted Celtics team 35-22. He shook off any remaining rust with 17 points in the third then added 12 after Boston took a 13-point lead with five minutes to play.