Curry’s Triple-Double Defeats Pacers in Kerr’s Return
41. Final. 110. 100. 122
In Steve Kerr‘s first game back, Stephen Curry‘s triple-double carried the Warriors over the Indiana Pacers 122-110.
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The Warriors were clearly energized right from the tipoff. They got out into the open floor and pushed the ball every chance they got. The Warriors came away with two steals and fourteen defensive rebounds and they turned it into fourteen fast break points. In his first game since being “snubbed” from the All-Star starting lineup, Draymond Green scored 13 points on 6/7 shooting in the opening quarter. Curry was on triple-double alert early, totaling seven points, five assists, and seven rebounds. The Warriors had pushed the lead to as much as 17 and won the quarter 32-18. Curry electrified Oracle Arena, splashing a half court shot just after the buzzer.
The second quarter was slower one for Golden State. They struggled to get good looks and score. Kerr experienced his first obstacle since returning to the bench as he had to figure out what to do with his big men as Festus Ezeli was in foul trouble, Marreese Speights was struggling, and Andrew Bogut seems to be slowed down by injury. Once Curry returned, the Warriors were able to make something happen. They lost the quarter 33-32, but they went into the half with momentum. Curry hit a spectacular deep three with time winding down then after forcing an Indiana miss, he sized up a half court three and hit it again. This time, before the buzzer.
Everytime Golden State looked like they were ready to pull away, the Pacers came right back. They weren’t able to match the high-tempo flurry they produced in the first quarter, but they ended it with some theatrics again. Curry received the inbound pass and, right on the verge of traveling, gave it up to Andre Iguodala. Iguodala couldn’t handle it and fought off Pacer defenders to retain control of it. He then threw it up to Leandro Barbosa, the only Warriors in the frontcourt. Barbosa missed the contested layup, but Iguodala came flying in and tipped it back in right before the buzzer.
The fourth quarter was the Curry show. Again, the Warriors picked up the pace, but Indiana matched it. Even with Paul George on him, Curry continued to get open. The Warriors were able to keep Indiana an arm’s length away. Late in the quarter, Curry secured his 10th rebound of the night, earning his second triple-double of the season. Speights put the dagger in the Pacers with a three-pointer that lit up Oracle Arena.
Curry finished with 39 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Green added 22 and 11. The 19 year old Myles Turner scored 31 points in a solid effort.
Warriors
- Field-goal percentage: 47.8% (43-90)
- Three-point percentage: 42.4% (14-33)
- Rebounds: 50
- Assists: 31
- Turnovers: 17
Pacers
- Field-goal percentage: 46.3% (44-95)
- Three-point percentage: 17.6% (19-27)
- Rebounds: 44
- Assists: 22
- Turnovers: 13
Good to Know
Stephen Curry has four seasons with at least 200 three-pointers, the second-most such seasons in NBA history (most: Ray Allen, five).
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) January 23, 2016
What’s on Tap
The Warriors host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.