Best of NBA: Thompson scores 39 as Warriors improve to 23-0

Klay Thompson scored 39 points as the Golden State Warriors withstood a furious late rally to defeat the Indiana Pacers 131-123 on Tuesday and stretch their record-breaking win streak to 23 games. “They have the best per game point differential and nine wins by 15 or more points (trails only Golden State)”. The Warriors are the first franchise in the four major pro sports leagues to have 16-game winning streaks in consecutive seasons. There’s less room for error against these Warriors than there is space for a Curry three-pointer. Thompson is averaging 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season.

“We’ve obviously going to be cautious with it”, interim head coach Luke Walton said, per the Chronicle. They’re trying to win three in a row in Boston for the first time since 1974-75. “Our guys are having fun”.

Thompson meanwhile played down the significance of a slight ankle roll which forced him to miss most of the fourth quarter.

The Warriors might not lose for awhile – beginning this Friday they’ve got games against the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Utah Jazz remaining before they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day.

“It’s not feeling great, but it’s not feeling bad”, Thompson said via ESPN.com .

“It was one of those nights where I got a lot of great looks”. Warriors have already withstood Barnes’ six-game absence due to an ankle injury.

The Warriors had too much firepower and poured in 44 first-quarter points to keep the winning streak alive.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kevin Durant had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City, and Russell Westbrook added 13 points while matching his season high with 16 assists.

Curry called Thompson’s first half unbelievable.

“It’s definitely another game, but you know the situation”, said Isaiah Thomas. So why, if the Warriors have only won 23 games, have you seen people saying all over the place that the Warriors have won 27 straight? When he has that look, he is going to have his confidence all night. The reigning MVP threw up a lob to Andrew Bogut for a dunk, hit two 3-pointers, and went around a defender for an up-and-under layup as the Warriors took a 37-21 lead. Or, can this young and energetic Celtics team make a little history of their own by ending the Golden State dream run?

Indiana, who outscored the Warriors 40-20 in the final quarter, were led by Paul George (33 points) and C.J. Miles (24 points). George Hill and Chase Budinger each added 12, and Jordan Hill had 10 points.