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Klay Thompson Gets Golden State Warriors Back on Track

By Carlos Murillo

Feb 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) for a basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets by Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) for a basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Final. 112. 77. 115. 41

Klay Thompson scored a game-high 32 points that helped the Golden State Warriors defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 115-112.

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The Warriors came out of the gate firing with a lot more energy than they had in Portland last night. Both teams set a physical tone early and the referees had a quick whistle. Draymond Green was given another technical foul. Stephen Curry scored 7 points early, but was called for two controversial blocking fouls. In his absence, Klay Thompson kept the Warriors going, scoring 16 early points. Golden State moved the ball around, dishing out 9 assists on their 12 made baskets. Chris Paul tried to keep his team close, putting up 10 points and 4 rebounds in the first period, but the Warriors won it 33-20.

The second half saw continued high-intesnity, physical play. Both Paul and coach Doc Rivers were assessed technical fouls. The Warriors moved the ball around and kept picking apart the Los Angeles defense around the rim. The highlight of the quarter came on a pick-and-roll in which Marreese Speights was able to get open and throw down a thunderous dunk over Wesley Johnson. Every time the Warriors threatened to pull away, the Clippers would come right back. Jamal Crawford led the way for the Clippers in the first half, dropping 15 points after sinking all seven of his free throws. The Warriors went into the half with the lead, but lost the quarter 33-30.

The third quarter was a back and forth affair. The Warriors came out of the locker room with great pace, finding Thompson for a three then getting into the open court and getting a lob for Harrison Barnes. The physicality picked up as neither team gave away anything easy near the rim. Crawford continued to make the Warriors pay by hitting difficult shots. A deep three made it a 5 point game, but Golden State managed to keep their distance, only losing the quarter 31-30.

The fourth quarter surprisingly came down to the wire. The Warriors started to pull away with Curry on the bench. Barnes contributed consecutive three-pointers that seemed to put the game away. Paul exited the game with an injury that, according to the television broadcast, wasn’t severe enough to keep him out, but Rivers felt like the game was too out of hand for him to return.

With about 1:30 left, Steve Kerr decided to take the starters out after the Warriors built a double digit lead. Then the Clippers bench, led by Pablo Prigioni, went on a 13-0 run and came within three points. The Warriors couldn’t inbound the ball to Barnes, the Clippers stole it, but missed an awful attempt at the buzzer.

The Warriors were without Andrew Bogut tonight. With Festus Ezeli injured, Kerr opted to start Rush in a small lineup.

Tale of the Tape

Warriors

  • Field-goal percentage: 51.2% (42-82)
  • Three-point percentage: 35.5% (11-31)
  • Rebounds: 39
  • Assists: 32
  • Turnovers: 14

Clippers

  • Field-goal percentage: 44.7% (42-94)
  • Three-point percentage: 36.1% (13-36)
  • Rebounds: 49
  • Assists: 24
  • Turnovers: 14

Good to Know

What’s on Tap

The Golden State Warriors will fly to Atlanta on Monday and take on the Hawks.

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