SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry scored a season-high 49 points and the defending champion Golden State Warriors outlasted the Boston Celtics 109-105 on Saturday in an nba showdown of conference leaders.
The Celtics sought a third win in as many seasons on the Warriors’ home court and could have become the first team since the 2013-14 season to sweep a season series from Golden State. But Curry seized command in the second half, outbattling Celtics star Kyrie Irving in a game that could be a preview of June’s nba Finals.
Curry went 16-of-24 from the floor, including 8-of-13 from 3-point range, while Irving led Boston with 37 points on 13-of-18 shooting, making 5-of-6 3-pointers.
“We bring the best out of each other,” Curry said. “He’s an amazing type of player who can do some crazy things on the floor. That’s what the nba is all about every night.”
The Celtics, down 10 points in the fourth quarter, rallied to lead briefly before Curry took charge.
Curry sank a 3-pointer to put Golden State ahead 98-95 and, after an Irving miss, sank a layup for a 100-95 Warriors’ edge with 68 seconds remaining. Late free throws by Curry put the Warriors ahead 105-101, but Terry Rozier’s 3-pointer pulled Boston within a point with 7.7 seconds remaining, forcing Curry to sink four more in the final seconds to seal the triumph.
“This is like a playoff-type game,” Curry said. “This prepares us for what it’s going to be like in April, May and June. I’d like to say we sent a message that we’re still going to be in it, but we have got a lot of work to do.”
Kevin Durant had 20 points and Draymond Green added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Golden State while Jaylen Brown had 20 points and Al Horford contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics.
Triple Double for Westbrook
Russell Westbrook had a triple double with a game-high 31 points plus 11 rebounds and 13 assists in Oklahoma City’s 121-108 victory at Detroit.
Paul George added 26 points and Carmelo Anthony had 21 for the Thunder. Anthony became the 21st player in nba history to reach the 25,000 career-point mark.
Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 24 points and the host Indiana Pacers rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat Orlando 114-112.
The Magic had their chances late, but Aaron Gordon, who led Orlando with 22 points and 11 rebounds, missed two free throws with 7.9 seconds remaining and Jonathan Simmons missed a final 3-point attempt. Markleff Morris scored 23 points and Mike Scott had 19 to lead Washington over host Atlanta 129-104.
Miami, powered by 19 points from Josh Richardson and 17 from Wayne Ellington, closed the game with an 8-1 run to beat visiting Charlotte 95-91. — AFP
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