Warriors hold off Utah Jazz, win 19th straight to start season

Stephen Curry scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter on Monday as the Warriors continued the best start in National Basketball Association history with a 106-103 victory over the Utah Jazz.

“Just because we’re (undefeated) doesn’t mean we can just show up and blow teams out or guarantee a win”, Curry said. We doubt these Sixers will get to that level of infamy with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets being four of their next five games (and the Spurs).

Curry poured in 26 points, including a crucial three when the scores were tied at 101-all in the final minute then a couple of free throws to end any hopes of a Utah comeback. The Jazz have an offense that shares the ball like Golden State, though Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood and Alec Burks are not quite as consistent with their shooting as the Warriors’ plethora of outside options.

After Curry missed a 3-pointer, the Jazz had a chance to take the lead, but Hood missed a 3 from the wing with five seconds left.

Forward Draymond Green finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season, and guard Klay Thompson had 15 points for the Warriors in the win. They are pretty even teams so it should make for a good match up. Snyder said he just needs the experience of being on the court and playing through mistake….

The Utah Jazz (8-7) welcome the Golden State Warriors (18-0), the league’s top team, to Vivint Smart Home Arena.

The Warriors have won 23 straight regular-season games dating to last season.

The Warriors led by as many as nine in the third quarter, but Utah went on a 11-2 run early in the fourth quarter to take a 90-87 lead.

Despite not being his side’s top-scorer, power forward Derrick Favors was the Jazz’s most productive player as he scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Then Curry hit another 3-pointer.

Two Favors free throws tied the game at 101-101.

Russell Westbrook had 34 points, including a drive with 2:49 remaining that gave the Thunder their first lead since scoring the opening basket. Kevin Durant led the Thunder to the win with 27 points. Chris Paul had 10 points and six assists in 24 minutes, leaving in the third quarter because of a strained rib muscle.

The Spurs lost for just the second time in 11 games, while the Bulls rebounded from a 104-92 road loss Friday to the Indiana Pacers.

In Miami, Avery Bradley scored 25 points and Boston put all five starters in double figures against the Heat.

In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins scored 16 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, and the Kings mauled Dallas. He finished with 25 points, while Al Horford added 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Reggie Jackson scored 31 points, Andre Drummond had 24 with 13 rebounds and the Pistons (9-9) held off the visiting Rockets.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (18-0): Golden State reached deep into its bag of perimeter options on Saturday and pulled out Brandon Rush, who got the start in place of Harrison Barnes and buried 4-of-5 3-pointers en route to 16 points. The Jazz have one of the best defenses, allowing 99.4 points in the same number of possessions (ranked eighth).