(Field Level Media) Stephen Curry torched the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday for a season-high 45 points in less than three quarters of work, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 121-105 rout at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Curry connected on 11-of-21 field goals, 8-of-16 3-point attempts and 15-of-16 free throws, as Golden State improved its NBA-best record to 32-8 with its fourth straight win and its sixth victory in seven games. Curry also grabbed six rebounds and came up with three steals in his 30 minutes.
Klay Thompson and David West added 10 points for the Warriors, while Draymond Green came close to a triple-double with nine points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Guard Lou Williams came in off the bench and tossed in 23 points to lead the Clippers (17-21). DeAndre Jordan collected 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while reserve guard Tyrone Wallace hit for 13 points.
Los Angeles forward Blake Griffin played only 10 minutes before leaving with a concussion. Griffin had five points and two rebounds.
Curry wasted little time putting his stamp on the game, scoring 17 points in the first 8:31. His 3-pointer off Green’s feed made it 26-18, and Golden State took a 31-28 edge to the second quarter after Williams capped a 13-point period with a 3-pointer.
A driving layup by Curry with 5.2 seconds left in the second quarter finished a 29-point half, enabling the Warriors to take a 64-55 advantage.
Golden State ended the suspense with a 39-point third quarter. Curry tallied 16 of them, capping his huge game by sinking two free throws with 2:46 left in the period. He missed his last three shots before leaving for good with 5.5 seconds remaining in the quarter, but the damage was done by then.
The Warriors won despite making just 41.5 percent of their field goal tries, but they outscored the Clippers 39-9 from the 3-point line and made 30-of-37 free throws.
Golden State also dominated the boards 56-45 and forced 18 turnovers.
