Splash Brothers lift Warriors past Mavs
DALLAS—Stephen Curry had several dazzling plays on his way to 31 points, fellow “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson scored 39 and the Golden State Warriors tuned up for a showdown in San Antonio with a 130-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Among a number of displays that drew roars, Curry stole the ball from Dirk Nowitzki near midcourt before hitting a 35-footer over him at the first-quarter buzzer. He then glanced a three-pointer off the glass from the corner with Nowitzki in his face again in the second quarter.
The Warriors made 14 of their first 17 from long range, finished 22 of 38 and won their seventh straight. Now they try to tackle the NBA’s longest losing streak on another team’s court—32 straight at the Spurs going back to Feb. 14, 1997.
The Warriors (62-6) have won seven straight and are now two games ahead of Chicago’s pace when the Bulls set the NBA record with 72 wins in 1995-96, while the Spurs (58-10) have won 43 straight at home.
“Right now, by NBA standards, this is bigger than the Rolling Stones on tour,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “Wherever they go, there’s a mass of people and a huge following.”
In other games, Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and LeBron James had 18, including a layup and a pair of free throws down the stretch, to help Cleveland hold off Orlando, 109-103, and clinch a playoff spot.
Russell Westbrook recorded his league-leading 13th triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Oklahoma City to a 11197 victory over Philadelphia.
Toronto whipped Boston, 105-91; Portland slipped past New Orleans, 117-112; Detroit beat Sacramento, 115-108; Houston stopped Minnesota, 116-111; and Phoenix edged the Los Angeles Lakers, 95-90.