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The NBA is experiencing a scoring renaissance thus far in the early goings of this season. A third of the league is averaging more points per game than the Warriors did last year to lead the league.
So it would be to no surprise that this game between the two top scoring teams of the league this year would result in a nitro-fueled fast-paced back and forth affair.
Even with the referees doing their best Andy Griffith impression by letting loose on their whistles, Stephen Curry managed to match the barrage of foul calls with another bevy of 3-pointers to lead the Golden State Warriors to their 6th straight win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Curry continued his campaign to dismantle the league by dropping in 7 more triples to increase his season total to an unfathomable number of 55.
He’s on pace to shatter his own previous record and looks completely in the zone. The manner in which he’s hitting these shots is just unfair.
Pullin' up from downtown. Off-balance. #StephGonnaSteph
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 1, 2018
@NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/xWdfuXHXTq
But scoring wasn’t the only production Curry handled tonight as he dished out a team-leading 9 assists as well — continually finding the open man when the Pelicans began to throw double teams at him in the second half.
Co-Splash Brother Klay Thompson started out looking like he hadn’t cooled off over the flight back from Chicago, scoring 10 points in the first quarter. Unfortunately that didn’t last throughout the game, but he still managed to chip in 18 points.
Kevin Durant meanwhile executed at the surgical-like precision the team and fans have come to expect from him, casually dropping in 24 points to go with 8 assists. He also knocked down two of his three 3-point attempts.
Draymond Green had his finger prints all over this game, collecting an egalitarian stat-line of 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. He looked more in shape than he has all season, energetically hounding the Pelicans on the defensive end and making plays all over the court.
The team’s reserves continued to impress with their activity and contributions.
Kevon Looney continued his excellent beginning to the season, out-hustling Anthony Davis to a number of boards and extended a handful of possessions.
Jonas Jerebko also certainly increased his popularity and stock with Golden State, as he cashed in on some more timely treys as well a few steals that showcased some nifty playmaking skills he wasn’t exactly known for.
Jonas out here getting crafty
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 1, 2018
@NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/kaKrhYVqJp
The team even enjoyed a rare regular-season Andre Iguodala shooting exhibit, where he hit 2-of-3 treys (including a buzzer beater in the first quarter) and 3-of-4 free-throws.
But as much as the Warriors were having their way against the Pelican’s defense, the Pelicans managed to keep pace for most of the game behind Nikola Mirotic, E’Twaun Moore, and Jrue Holiday.
And this was with their headliner Davis having a relatively bad game in comparison to what he normally produces.
The Pelicans definitely have the talent to compete offensively with the Warriors. But without a defense to stop the arsenal of shot-makers the Warriors possess, it’s hard to imagine them reliably outscoring the champs come playoff time.
Next up
The Warriors will host the Minnesota Timbewolves this Friday.
The Wolves are coming off an emotional win over the Utah Jazz where Derrick Rose travelled back in time to reclaim his former MVP-self by scoring 50 points and making the game-sealing block.
Golden State will have the chance to return the Wolves’ attention back to their internal drama with Jimmy Butler by extending their winning streak to 7.