The Sports Xchange
Nov 11, 2017
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors gave more evidence that they've hit their stride Saturday night in a 135-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia had won five of its last six, but found itself completely outmanned in the second half against the defending NBA champions, who won for the sixth consecutive time. All six have been by 17 or more points, the longest such streak in franchise history.
From the 7:29 point of the third quarter to 7:29 of the fourth, the Warriors (10-3) outscored the 76ers 43-24 to put the seal on this one. During that stretch, guard Klay Thompson and guard Nick Young each had 11 points.
The Warriors and 76ers battled evenly through 2 1/2 quarters, but after a Robert Covington 3-pointer for the Sixers tied the game at 74 with 7:29 left in the third, Golden State went on one of the runs that have been norm of late.
The Warriors went on a 27-11 run with major help from some of the reserves as Young hit three 3-pointers and forward Kevon Looney scored twice underneath.
The 76ers (6-6), who have lost nine straight against Golden State, had a chance to leave the floor at halftime with the lead, but Looney, getting added playing time with Andre Iguodala inactive, blocked Ben Simmons underneath the rim. Looney then came up with the ball that set up a 3-pointer from Thompson off a fast break and he put Golden State up 65-64 at the half.
Forward Kevin Durant led all scorers with 29 points, Thompson had 23 and Stephen Curry 22 for the Warriors, who shot 58.5 percent from the field.
The 76ers' defense kept the game close in the first half, forcing a dozen Golden State turnovers, a number that offset the Warriors shooting 53.7 percent in the half and hitting on 15 of 16 free throw tries.
Philadelphia didn't have a player in double digits in the first half. J.J. Redick finished with 17 points, guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot came off the bench to score 15 and forward Dario Saric added 14.
The Warriors had a scare in the first 24 minutes when they lost Curry for a few minutes. Simmons' knee hit Curry on the right thigh and the guard went down immediately.
Curry headed to the locker room after a few seconds but was only gone a brief time. Once back, he quickly hit on a couple of buckets although he seemed to be limping a bit.
NOTES: Warriors G Stephen Curry put up a Veterans Day post in The Players Tribune on Saturday, addressing the need for better services for veterans but also talking about the why players taking a knee are honoring veterans, and "the opposite of disrespectful to them." He also addressed the surprise he felt when attacked on Twitter by Donald Trump. ... Before the game, the Warriors presented 76ers F James Michael McAdoo with his 2017 championship ring in an on-court ceremony. McAdoo won two rings in his three years with the Warriors, in 2015 and again in 2017. He's currently on assignment with the 76ers G League team in Delaware, but the 76ers brought him along just for the ceremony. Coach Brett Brown said it was important for the rest of the squad to see what comes from playing well in June. "It's a wonderful example," he said. McAdoo got a standing ovation from the Warriors and most of the crowd. ... The Warriors put F Andre Iguodala on the inactive list for the night, making sure the 33-year-old is rested.