Warriors Overcome First Half To Beat Spurs

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Published on November 3 2017 6:13 am
Last Updated on November 3 2017 6:13 am

By ESPN

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are already thinking about Golden State's postseason possibilities.

The Warriors' slow start could be a byproduct of that early daydreaming.

Klay Thompson scored 27 points, Durant had 24 and the Warriors overcame a lethargic first half to beat injury-riddled San Antonio 112-92 on Thursday night, handing the Spurs their fourth straight loss.

Curry added 21 points for Golden State in its first meeting against San Antonio since sweeping the Western Conference finals en route to the NBA title.

"Me and (Durant) were talking about it on the bench tonight," Curry said. "It is tough to still be Nov. 1st or 2nd and be looking forward to April, May, June. But having gone through the experience last year and three years ago and understanding what it takes to win a championship, it's kind of cliche, but every game you can learn a little bit something about yourself and continue to build great habits to get there."

One lesson is staying focused against the Spurs, even as the five-time champions face their own struggles.

San Antonio played without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, as they did in the conference finals. Unlike those blowout victories, the Warriors struggled to close out the Spurs.

"We might as well start every game here down 20," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. "Other than the playoffs last year, that will be four or five straight games where that happened. You have to be able to match the Spurs' intensity, especially because they're such a good rebounding team."

The Warriors took their first lead two minutes into the third quarter at 60-57 on Durant's 3-pointer.

Durant missed his first eight shots and the Spurs made six 3-pointers in the first quarter in bolting to an early double-digit lead.

Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 10 rebounds, continuing his resurgent season.

"LaMarcus was magnificent," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's been magnificent every game. His perseverance his hustle, his focus has been off the charts. He's done a great job."

Kyle Anderson added 16 points in place of Leonard, who has not played this season while suffering from an injured right quadriceps.

San Antonio led 31-12 lead after Golden State went scoreless for 4 1/2 minutes midway through the opening period.

Golden State slowly cut into the lead behind its defense. After shooting 48 percent in the first quarter, the Spurs were held to 33 percent in the second quarter. San Antonio was 1 for 5 on 3-pointers and 7 for 21 overall in the second quarter.

"Our focus (sparked the rally), especially on the defensive end, and not fouling," Thompson said. "Those two things are great because when we do that, we are able to get out in transition and get easy buckets. Our focus on that side of the ball was really good."

Thompson finished 11 for 17 from the field, including 5 for 8 on 3-pointers.

The Spurs finished 7 for 24 on 3-pointers, failing to make a 3 in the second half after draining six in the opening quarter.

"We contested shots, we rebounded and we got out in transition," Durant said.

Zaza Pachulia, making his first appearance in San Antonio since Leonard was lost after landing on the center's foot in Game 1, was heavily booed throughout the game.


Thursday, November 2 Scoreboard

Golden State 112, San Antonio 92

Portland 113, Los Angeles Lakers 110


Friday, November 3 Schedule (All Times Central)

Milwaukee at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Chicago at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Indiana at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Cleveland at Washington, 6 p.m.

Houston at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

Phoenix at New York, 6:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Denver, 8 p.m.

Toronto at Utah, 8 p.m.

Boston at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m.

Brookklyn at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:30 p.m.


Saturday, November 4 Schedule (All Times Central)

Memphis at Los Angeles Clippers, 2:30 p.m.

Sacramento at Detroit, 6 p.m.

New Orleans at Chicago, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Golden State at Denver, 8 p.m.

 

Sunday, November 5 Schedule (All Times Central)

Atlanta at Cleveland, 2 p.m.

Miami at Los Angeles Clippers, 2:30 p.m.

Boston at Orlando, 5 p.m.

Washington at Toronto, 5 p.m.

Utah at Houston, 6 p.m.

Phoenix at San Antonio, 6 p.m.

Indiana at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Portland, 8 p.m.

Memphis at Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m.