OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Nope, Stephen Curry didn’t know the last time Golden State dropped two in a row during the regular season.
Draymond Green? Negative.
That’s because it’s been quite a while: April 2015, to be exact.
“Let’s see, I think it was my second year in the league. My third year?” Green pondered. “We didn’t lose two in a row last year.”
The Warriors realize how remarkable it is, that brilliant, NBA-best ability to bounce back. You bet, this bunch gets mad about losing.
Curry scored 20 of his 31 points in the third quarter and Golden State ran its NBA-record streak of regular season games without consecutive losses to 106 by beating the Phoenix Suns 138-109 on Saturday night.
“We’re a bunch of real pros. We don’t have letups that often, but when we do we respond the best we can,” Klay Thompson said. “I thought tonight was a perfect example of that. I don’t know how long we can keep that streak alive. It’s really impressive, I’m not going to lie. It’s something we’re really proud of because it shows the world that we respond when we have an off night. The other night was one of those and tonight we made up for it.”
Curry hit five 3-pointers and Thompson added 26 points and a season-high six 3s. Kevin Durant had 20 points and eight assists and Green a season-best 13 assists to go with nine points for Golden State, which hasn’t lost back-to-back games during the regular season since April 2015 to San Antonio and New Orleans during its championship season.
“There’s a resiliency to our team but obviously in this league anything can happen,” Curry said. “So for us to be able to correct mistakes and find ways to bounce back quickly and not have multiple games in a row where you don’t show up to play says a lot about the character we have on this team.”
The Warriors beat Phoenix for the 10th straight time, the longest winning streak by either team in the series, and 11th in a row at home.
Eric Bledsoe scored 13 of his 27 points in the second quarter and Devin Booker had 21 points for the Suns, who had no answer for Golden State’s 62.8-percent shooting and a 66.7-percent clip from long range (14 of 21).
Golden State has three 20-point scorers in four consecutive games for the first time since Feb 10-21, 2009.
The Warriors bounced back from a wild double-overtime defeat to Houston on Thursday night that snapped their 12-game winning streak - tied for third-longest in franchise history.
Warriors forward David West reached double-digit scoring for the first time with 10 points and JaVale McGee had 11 off the bench, helping Golden State follow a defeat with a victory for the 13th time in such scenarios.
This marked the third meeting of the season already for the rivals, and now they won’t play again until April. The Warriors also topped Phoenix at home 133-120 on Nov. 13.
“You’re playing obviously the best team in basketball right now,” Suns coach Earl Watson said. “They’re the best scorers in the world.”
TRIBUTE TO FIRE VICTIMS
A moment of silence was held for the victims of a nearby warehouse fire. At least nine people were killed by the blaze less than three miles from the arena, and the Warriors announced they’re donating $50,000 to support families of the victims.
The Oakland Raiders late Saturday pledged to match up to $30,000 in contributions on the YouCaring.com page established by the Athletics.
“I want to start out today offering our condolences to the victims of the Oakland fire,” Kerr said before the game . “Just a devastating tragedy right here in the East Bay. It’s hard to comprehend. …We’re all devastated today.”
TIP-INS
Suns: Watson was hit with a technical at the 5:45 mark of the first quarter for arguing. … The Suns dropped to 3-9 on the road and 1-7 in away games against the Western Conference.
Warriors: Curry had his seventh 30-point performance and Thompson had his 11th 20-point game. … The Warriors have made 11 of more 3-pointers in eight straight games. … Golden State has an NBA-leading 14 games with 30 or more assists with 37 Saturday, going 13-1. … The Warriors scored 100 or more points for the 19th time in 20 games.
UP NEXT
Suns: At Utah on Tuesday night. The Jazz swept the Suns 4-0 last season for the first time since 1999-2000 (4-0).
Warriors: Golden State concludes its five-game homestand by hosting former star Monta Ellis and Indiana on Monday night, having won two straight and four of five against Nate McMillan’s Pacers. The Warriors then have five road games in seven days.
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