Curry’s 36 propel Warriors to NBA’s top mark
Hawks join Golden State at 50 wins of kings Davis nets 43 to lead Pelicans
PHOENIX – Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr felt the rare need to get on his superstar at halftime Monday. After Stephen Curry committed a careless turnover with 1:32 remaining in the second quarter, Phoenix closed the half on an 8-0 run to tie the score at 46-46. “The last two minutes of the first half were really disappointing. We just lost our focus,” Kerr said. Curry “came into the second half on fire and locked in. He was incredible. ... He just took over the game.” After the halftime tongue-lashing, Curry scored 25 of his 36 points on 9-for14 shooting from the field, including 6-for-8 shooting from three-point range. He committed only one second-half turnover while picking up four steals to set the tone for a 98-80 blowout at US Airways Center. Phoenix trailed 53-52 with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter. Curry then scored 10 points during an 18-3 run that put the Warriors ahead 71-55. By that point, Curry and Klay Thompson, who finished with 25 points, had combined for 41. It was the 65th time in their careers that they reached the 20-point mark in the same game. Limiting Phoenix (33-32) to 37.7 percent shooting from the floor, the Warriors (50-12) became the second team to reach 50 wins this season -- trailing Atlanta (50-13) by several hours. They’re the 20th team in NBA history to reach 50 wins in 62 games and the first to do it in franchise history. The numbers just keep piling up as the Warriors made at least 10 three-pointers for the ninth consecutive game, extended their league lead in double-digit victories to 35 and won their seventh straight against Western Conference opponents. They’re 4-0 to start to a stretch during which they play 10 of 12 games at home, and Phoenix was the first of five straight opponents that are on the outside of the playoff picture. Curry and Thompson were joined in double-digit scoring by Draymond Green, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, but Kerr said the game was won on the defensive end. Phoenix was led by Eric Bledsoe’s 19 points and 13 from Brandon Knight, who left with an ankle injury in the second quarter. (San Francisco Chronicle/TNS)
Hawks 130, Kings 105
Atlanta blasted Sacramento, handing the Kings their fourth straight loss. The Hawks hit 12 three-pointers and had 25 assists on 30 field goals in the first half. All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures, led by DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver, who each finished with 20. Jeff Teague added 18 points and 13 assists. Rudy Gay had 23 points to lead the Kings in defeat.
Wizards 95, Hornets 69
Marcin Gortat scored 20 points on nine-of-11 shooting, and Washington rolled over Charlotte. The Wizards were dominant early and led by as many as 19 points in the first half, then pushed the margin to 26 at the end. Wizards guard John Wall, who hit his first five shots in the first quarter, finished with 15 points and nine assists. The loss snapped the Hornets fivegame winning streak
Celtics 100, Heat 90
Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points, and Boston, taking advantage of the ejection of Miami center Hassan Whiteside, defeated the Heat 100-90. Whiteside, who finished with seven points and nine rebounds, was tossed with 2:45 left in the third quarter after he elbowed Boston’s Kelly Olynyk. Boston won for the third time in four games. The Celtics trail the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers by two games in the battle for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Heat, who trail the Hornets and Pacers by a half-game, were led by Dwayne Wade’s game-high 34 points.
Nuggets 106, Knicks 78
Kenneth Faried scored 19 points and grabbed 11 boards, Wilson Chandler added 17 points and Denver routed New York. Ty Lawson scored 14 points for the Nuggets, while Andrea Bargnani led the Knicks with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Pelicans 114, Bucks 103
Anthony Davis set a new career high with 43 points as New Orleans held off Milwaukee Bucks for a hard-earned victory. Davis was dominant in all phases of his game. He hit 17-of-23 shots and nine of 11 free throw attempts while grabbing eight rebounds with six assists and a pair of blocked shots. With the win, the Pelicans pulled within a half-game of Oklahoma City for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a careerhigh 29 points for the Bucks.