SAN FRANCISCO – Klay Thompson recorded a game-high 27 points, including a key three-pointer putting a bow on a perfect homestand with a 108-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Despite missing starters Stephen Curry (leg) and Andrew Wiggins (personal reasons), Golden State (34-30) finished 5-0 on the homestand and improved to 27-7 at Chase Center.
During the five-game winning streak, the Warriors defense played a major role in their resurgence holding opponents to 100.3 points per game on 41-percent shooting from the field and 30.2-percent
Thompson shot 10-for-17 from the field, with four made three-pointers. Jonathan Kuminga finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, duplicating the output he recorded in last night’s 115-91 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden State erased a 17-point deficit in the first half. It was the fourth straight game that the Warriors found themselves rallying from double-digit deficits – the first time Golden State accomplished that feat since 1997-98 per the Elias Sports Bureau.
“I think just a lot of grit,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “Every one of these wins was marked by our team kind of getting over the hump. Overcoming a lot of deficits, turning up the defense and grinding out games down the stretch. It’s been exciting to see our team turn a corner, but we still need to go out and win on the road.”
Jordan Poole scored 18 points on 3-for-13 shooting but shot 12-for-12 from the free throw line. As a team, the Warriors shot 18-for-20 from the charity stripe. JaMychal Green added 14 points and six rebounds and Anthony Lamb scored 11 points for the Warriors, who outscored the Pelicans’ bench 46-29.
Kevon Looney had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double in his last eight games. Golden State owned the paint, outscoring New Orleans 52-36 in the lane.
CJ McCollum scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 17 points for the Pelicans (31-33), who have lost five of their last six games. The Pelicans jumped out to a 35-18 lead in the first quarter.
The Warriors led briefly for the first time, 50-49, on a made basket by Kuminga late in the second quarter before New Orleans took a 57-54 lead into halftime.
The Pelicans led Golden State 93-89 in the fourth quarter before Lamb and Thompson drilled back-to-back three-pointers taking a 95-93 lead with under four minutes remaining.
“They just made plays,” said New Orleans head coach Willie Green. “That’s an area that we have to continue to grow and mature…Those are the learning experiences for us. That’s a good team, a championship level team. Those guys know how to win. Our margin for error is small, especially down the stretch like that.”
Donte DiVincenzo saved his best for last, knocking down his only made shot from three-point range pushing the Warriors ahead for good at 98-94. DiVinicenzo also had seven rebounds and six assists which included setting up a Kuminga’s dunk to make it 100-96 after snatching an offensive rebound.
“He loves the big moments and it doesn’t matter if he’s been hot or hasn’t made a shot like tonight,” Kerr said about DiVincenzo. “He’s ready for the big one. Between that shot and the offensive board with the pass to JK. He just continues to make huge plays.”
The Warriors closed the game on a 19-6 run in the final 4:30.
Next up for Golden State: a trip to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers on Sunday; while the Pelicans travel to Sacramento to face the Kings on Monday.
Photo by Warriors/Twitter
