Warriors 100, Clippers 99
Stephen Curry collected 24 points and nine assists as Golden State held off visiting Los Angeles to even the best-of-seven Western Conference series at three games apiece.
Andre Iguodala scored 15 points and Draymond Green added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors, who forced a Game 7 at Los Angeles on Sunday. Marreese Speights scored 12 off the bench to help Golden State build up a 42-24 advantage on points in the paint.
Jamal Crawford scored 19 points in a reserve role and Matt Barnes recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers. Blake Griffin had 17 points and nine rebounds before fouling out late and J.J. Redick scored 15 points for Los Angeles.
The Warriors grabbed a 96-89 lead on Iguodala’s 3-pointer with 2:31 left but Crawford responded with a 3-pointer at the other end and found Matt Barnes for a layup to cut it to a two-point deficit. Green and Harrison Barnes each hit a pair of free throws and Matt Barnes’ 3-pointer came with less than a second remaining before Curry intentionally missed a free throw to let the time expire.
The Clippers led 59-56 with 5:07 left in the third quarter before the Warriors made their move, getting a 3-pointer from Green to highlight a 13-3 burst before settling for a three-point lead heading into the fourth. Los Angeles was still within three when Speights scored five straight points and Klay Thompson converted a transition layup to put Golden State up 85-77 with 8:48 to play.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Warriors C Jermaine O’Neal needed to be helped off the court after suffering a sprained right knee in the second quarter and did not return. … Golden State F David Lee fouled out with 9:44 remaining and finished with eight points and nine rebounds. … Los Angeles G Chris Paul also battled foul trouble and recorded nine points, eight assists and four turnovers.