Warriors beat Clippers for seventh straight time
LOS ANGELES -- Klay Thompson scored 24 points and Draymond Green added 22 as the Golden State Warriors routed the Los Angeles Clippers 115-98 on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
Stephen Curry tallied 19 points, seven steals and six assists for the Warriors (19-3), who beat the Clippers for the seventh time in a row, including the last four visits to Staples. Curry, though, missed all eight of his 3-point attempts.
Kevin Durant collected 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Golden State.
Jamal Crawford led the Clippers (16-7) with 21 points. Chris Paul recorded 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for Los Angeles, which has dropped five of its last seven contests. Former Warriors Marreese Speights (15 points) and Austin Rivers combined for 29 points for the Clippers.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin managed just 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting. Griffin also had nine rebounds. DeAndre Jordan finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Golden State blew the game open in the third quarter. The Warriors padded a 13-point halftime cushion and turned it into a 91-75 advantage by the end of the third. The Clippers never got the lead below double digits in the second half.
The Warriors dominated practically from the opening tip. They led by as much as 20 in the first quarter before seizing a 62-49 advantage at the break. Curry and Green led all scorers with 15 points each by intermission. Crawford came off the bench to deliver 13 points for the Clippers.
The Warriors converted 49 percent of their shots compared to 40.4 percent for the Clippers in the first half. They also held a 36-20 edge in points in the paint.
Golden State shot 47.7 percent for the game, and Los Angeles shot 39.6 percent. In the paint, the Warriors outscored the Clippers 58-38. The Warriors recorded 32 assists to the Clippers' 15.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers was in a humorous mood before the game. Rivers was asked whether his team needed to "punch (the Warriors) in the face" or make a statement against them with a resounding win. "I'm nonviolent. (NBA official) Ken Mauer wouldn't agree with that, but I am," Rivers deadpanned. Rivers was referring to Mauer ejecting him in a double-overtime loss at the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 29. Rivers had to be restrained by assistant coaches and players from charging Mauer. ... Clippers reserve G Raymond Felton missed the game because of a family matter, Rivers said. ... The Warriors were the only NBA club shooting over 50 percent (50.3) entering the contest. ... Golden State visits the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Los Angeles hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.