Golden State Warriors Stay Perfect with Comeback Win over Clippers
77. 124. 41. Final. 117
With their perfect record on the line, the Golden State Warriors mounted a huge comeback to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-117.
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Early on, it was all Clippers. Just several minutes into the game, both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green picked up early fouls. Coach Luke Walton tried to keep them in for as long as he could as the Warriors’ bench was already thin, with Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa unavailable in this one. Chris Paul got to every spot on the floor that he wanted to, shooting a perfect 7/7 from the field in the opening period. Warriors fell behind 41-25.
The Warriors clawed their way back into the game, chipping away at the lead ever so slightly. The Warriors were able to get free points from the line, as the Clippers were assessed several technical fouls. Golden State won the second quarter 29-27, exchanging baskets at the end of the period, ultimately cutting the lead to 14 at the half.
The second half was all Golden State. Curry came out of the half ready to mount a comeback, knocking down several big shots. Walton inserted Ian Clark who gave the Warriors another ball handler and repeatedly found open teammates. Towards the end of the quarter, the Warriors had cut the lead to single-digits, but a big 5-point swing involving a Curry three that rattled out and a Wesley Johnson dunk helped keep Los Angeles afloat. With time winding down, Clark got the rebound, pushed the ball up court, and found Green in the corner for a momentum-shfiting, buzzer-beating three.
The fourth quarter was a battle that saw the Warriors play their brand of basketball. Harrison Barnes took over early on, exploiting Paul Pierce and Josh Smith‘s defensive shortcomings, and making several key shots for Golden State. After Walton rode the Festus Ezeli/Marreese Speights frontcourt as long as he could, he brought in Green and Andre Iguodala who instantly made impacts on both ends. The Warriors defense tightened up and Green found Iguodala and Klay Thompson in the corners for three-pointers. A Thompson trey with around two minutes left gave Golden State the lead then Curry took over.
It was a matchup of elite point guards and Curry silenced all critics by out dueling Chris Paul who finished with 35 points and 8 assists. Curry finished with 40 points and 11 rebounds, both led all players. The Warriors proved again that no lead is safe against the defending champs.
Tale of the Tape
Warriors
- Field-goal percentage: 52.1% (38-73)
- Three-point percentage: 56.7% (17-30)
- Rebounds: 44
- Assists: 31
- Turnovers: 19
Clippers
- Field-goal percentage: 50% (44-88)
- Three-point percentage: 44.8% (16-24)
- Rebounds: 35
- Assists: 21
- Turnovers: 10
Good to Know
Strange stat holds true: Warriors have won their last five games in which they've given up 40+ in the first quarter
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) November 20, 2015
What’s on Tap
The Warriors will come home to Oracle Arena and host the Chicago Bulls tomorrow.