Wednesday's word of the day was resiliency, and it was brought to you by the Golden State Warriors.
It was an ugly first quarter for the Warriors, who allowed a season-high 42 points to the Mavericks which helped open up a 22-point lead early in the first half. But what makes this Warriors squad so dangerous is their unparalleled ability to keep coming at you for 48 minutes. The Dubs bench helped right the ship after a shaky first quarter performance by starting the second quarter on a 15-2 run. That run was all the sold out crowd at Oracle needed to help will the Warriors to a 128-114 victory over the Mavs on Wednesday night. Well, that and Steph Curry, of course.
Steph Curry Takeover
After scratching and clawing their way back to a respectable 62-58 deficit at the half, the Warriors opened up the second half with a flaming hot can of Curry that exploded in the third quarter. Curry scored 26 of his season-high 51 points in the third, throwing in one improbable shot after another. Curry finished the game with a season-high 10 made three-pointers, joining J.R. Smith as the only other player in NBA history to make 10 or more three-pointers in a game more than one time. It is the second time Curry has completed the feat, while Smith has done it three times.
The Warriors outscored the Mavericks 43-36 in an exciting third quarter that saw the NBA's two highest scoring teams trading baskets at a breakneck pace. Curry had 41 points and nine 3-pointers through three quarters, but he wasn't the only player who had a big game Wednesday, as the Mavericks' Tyson Chandler posted 21 points and 17 rebounds. Chandler, who is known more for his defense, started the game 8-for-8 with a number of ferocious ally-oop and put back dunks that Warriors fans are used to seeing Andrew Bogut throw down, and not necessarily be thrown down on. Chandler Parsons added 24 points and Monta Ellis finished with 14 points on 7-19 shooting.
Defense Seals the Deal
In need of a strong finish, the Warriors turned the faucet off on the Mavericks, holding Dallas to just 16 points in the 4th quarter. The Dubs unleashed a blitzkrieg on the Mavericks after the first quarter by outscoring the Mavs 103-72 to close out the game.
Klay Thompson added 18 points and five assists, while Leandro Barbosa and Mo Speights chipped in with 14 apiece off of the bench. David Lee only played 6 minutes tonight, as Steve Kerr may be saving Lee for the Warriors' second set of back-to-back games this week starting Friday, as the Warriors will travel to Atlanta to take on the East leading Hawks. Although they only combined for nine points, the always-dependable glue guys Andre Igoudala and Draymond Green always find a way to impact a game, as they combined for 17 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and four blocks.
Steph Curry mentioned after the game that the Warriors ability to overcome a 22 point deficit against one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, "Says a lot about who we are, and what our mission is this year." Which brings us back to our word of the day, resiliency. This Golden State Warriors team doesn't back down from a challenge, and when adversity puts a hand in their face, they calmly rise up and drain a three-pointer in its eye.
Game Notes
- Warriors improved their league best record at home this season to 23-2.
- Andrew Bogut recorded his 5,000th career rebound tonight.
- Tonight was Steph Curry's 8th career 40 point game, and his first at home.
- The Warriors improve to 29-3 when Andrew Bogut plays and are 9-5 when he does not.
- The Warriors shot 19-38 (%50) as a team from 3-point range. Their 38 3-point attempts were the most they have had in a game in the past 4 seasons, and tied the Cavs for the most attempts in a game by a single team this season.
- Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are the first pair of teammates to each drop 50+ points in a game during the same season since the 1994-1995 season.
- Steph Curry is the only player in NBA history with multiple games of 50+ points and 10+ three-pointers made.