Pelicans at Warriors
The Golden State Warriors look to post their 22nd win in the last 24 meetings when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Stephen Curry scored 37 points as Golden State continued its dominance over the Pelicans with a 131-121 home victory on Oct. 31.
The Warriors set an NBA record with a 51-point quarter during a 142-111 whipping of host Denver on Tuesday that moved them into first place in the Western Conference. "Ball movement, defensive intensity and the hunger to redeem ourselves from last time we played here when we lost," shooting guard Klay Thompson said of the assault during a postgame television interview. "That's great. I didn't know that is a record. That's impressive." The Pelicans posted a 121-117 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday and have won four of their last five games heading into visits against the Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. "We need to stay calm, have composure, play like we've been in the situation before, which we have," New Orleans point guard Jrue Holiday told reporters. "Last year we were pretty good at it. This year, we've got to take it a game at a time."
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS New Orleans, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (21-23): Anthony Davis had another monster game with 46 points and 16 rebounds against the Clippers for his 14th consecutive double-double. Davis, who has scored at least 30 points in four straight contests and eight of his last 11, received stellar help from Julius Randle (27 points) in the victory over Los Angeles. "It doesn't matter who's guarding me. I just try to make the best of (every opportunity) and try to help the team win," Davis told reporters. "Me and Julius, we both know that we're good post players, and we were able to score a lot in the post. No matter who guards us, we just try to be dominant in the paint."
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (30-14): Curry and Thompson each scored 31 points and combined for 13 3-pointers (eight by Curry) while overtaking the Nuggets for the top spot in the West with their fifth straight win as they reminded opponents how they can explode at any time. "It's hard to do this every night for 82 games," Thompson said after Golden State went 21-for-39 from 3-point range. "When it happens, it feels great. Obviously, there's not going to be record-setting quarters every night, but it shows you what we're capable of when we're hitting on all cylinders. It's beautiful to watch and more fun to be a part of." Kevin Durant scored 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting against the Nuggets to stretch his streak of 20-point efforts to 17.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans halted their 10-game losing streak in Oakland with a 126-120 victory over the Warriors on April 7.
2. Golden State C DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) is expected to make his season debut on Friday against the Clippers.
3. Holiday has reached double digits in scoring in 15 straight games, recording at least 20 points in 10 of the contests.