Thompson lifts short-handed Warriors over Rockets

If those fans were disappointed finding out hours later that reigning MVP Stephen Curry was not playing due to a lower left leg injury, they were more disappointed once they got inside the arena.

The Golden State Warriors (29-2) are coming from a 114-91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Klay Thompson, the other half of Golden State’s Splash Brothers, took his game to another level and dropped 38 points as the Warriors surged to a league-leading 30-2 record.

Allen Crabbe scored 20 points, Al-Farouq Aminu collected 14 points and nine rebounds, and Mason Plumlee contributed 13 points, seven boards, four assists and three blocked shots for the Trail Blazers, who won their third consecutive game. Harden was 10-10 from the charity stripe where the normally 90 percent Thompson was 0-of-3 on the night.

Draymond Green has 11 assists with five minutes left in the second quarter. “We either had a big guy with tenacity, or a quick guy on him, and both of those guys are great defenders”.

Walton hinted that he may rest Curry again Thursday, a move the erratic Rockets surely won’t object.

The Warriors are so far out in front of the National Basketball Association that they have nearly ensured a playoff berth after 30 games.

“They were a little short-handed tonight”. Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Zaza Pachulia posted a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds.

There was more good news for the Warriors. Phoenix, which has lost six straight, had season lows for total points, first-half points (33) and points in the opening quarter (12).

“Pretty much everything we do gets affected by a player like that, but we’re confident that even while he’s out, we should still be able to compete better than that and win ballgames”.

The 23-point margin was Golden State’s worst defeat since a 31-point loss to Houston in 2013, according to STATS. Last season the Mavs reached that mark just seven times. The Warriors shooting 67% through the first 15 minutes of the game.

Will Barton, traded by Portland to Denver last season, led the Nuggets with 31 points. Obviously without him out there, the spacing won’t be as good, the drags that we like doing so much aren’t as effective. Rodney Hood finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. F Harrison Barnes (L ankle sprain), G Leandro Barbosa (L shoulder sprain) and F Kevon Looney (R hip surgery rehab) are not with the team.

It was defense that mainly helped the Milwaukee Bucks break the Golden State Warriors’ impressive 24-game winning streak a few weeks back. It was nearly 15.

“As soon as I touched the ball and they booed, I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m home, ‘” said Bryant, who didn’t score until his ninth shot but made a key contribution to a 21-5 third-quarter scoring run.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – J.J. Redick scored 26 points, Austin Rivers added a season-best 22 and Los Angeles beat Charlotte. Walton said there was still no timetable for Kerr’s return.