Clippers Routed By Undefeated Warriors, 121-104
OAKLAND, Calif. (CBSLA.com/AP) — Stephen Curry had 28 points and seven assists, Draymond Green scored a career-high 24 points and the Golden State Warriors remained unbeaten with their most impressive performance yet, crushing the Los Angeles Clippers 121-104 on Wednesday night.
Green added eight rebounds and five assists as the Warriors (4-0) showed off the swagger of a confident and complete contender. They built a 25-point lead in the second quarter and held off the Clippers the rest of the way, getting a small slice of revenge after losing a heated first-round playoff series to Los Angeles last season.
Houston and Memphis are the only other undefeated teams left.
Jamal Crawford scored 24 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 17 points and 13 rebounds for a Clippers team that is off to a shaky start. Los Angeles (3-2) opened with a string of close games before getting whipped by the Warriors.
Golden State extended its best start in 20 years under new coach Steve Kerr. The last time the Warriors began 4-0 was the 1994-95 season, when they won their first five.
As far as early November games go, both teams had more than enough incentive to gear up for this contest.
There had been several fierce incidents on and off the court between these rising Pacific Division rivals the past three seasons. That was evident again when Clippers star Blake Griffin never offered — or received — a handshake from Warriors players before the opening tip.
But there was little drama this time. Golden State dominated from start to finish, outshooting the Clippers 58 to 46 percent and outrebounding them 39-30.
The Warriors had everything clicking for them, especially in the first half, from Curry's crossover dribbles and 3-point prowess to Andrew Bogut on the boards, and Green inside and out. They built a 65-42 lead at intermission, bringing the announced sellout crowd of 19,596 roaring to a playoff pitch.
The Clippers, who now have two days off before hosting the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday, closed to 108-94 with 4:23 to play before Golden State pulled away again.
Bogut, who missed the playoffs last season after fracturing his rib, added 14 rebounds and six points. Klay Thompson also overcame early foul trouble to score 19 points.
Green made four 3-pointers, tying his regular-season best. He set his playoff career highs with 24 points and five 3-pointers in the Game 7 loss at Los Angeles in May.
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