Curry, Warriors slip past 76ers
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Stephen Curry celebrated his 29th birthday with some late fireworks Tuesday night, saving 12 of his game-high 29 points for a fourth-quarter rally that propelled the Golden State Warriors past the Philadelphia 76ers 106-104.
Klay Thompson had 28 points and Draymond Green 20 for Golden State (53-14), which moved a half-game up on the idle San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the league.
The Warriors trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter and were down 90-78 entering the final period before limiting the 76ers to 14 fourth-quarter points.
Golden State passed the 76ers with a 15-2, quarter-opening run, with Curry contributing six points, including a 3-pointer.
The 76ers reclaimed a 99-98 advantage on a 3-pointer by Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot with 4:52 remaining before Curry connected on his fifth trey of the night for a lead the Warriors never relinquished.
Philadelphia clung within 104-103 on a drive by Luwawu-Cabarrot with 1:11 left, but Green hit two free throws to extend the margin to three with 56 seconds remaining.
The 76ers got back within 106-104 when Dario Saric, fouled intentionally by Green, made a free throw with 2.6 seconds remaining.
Saric missed the second foul shot intentionally, and Curry secured the win for the Warriors when he retrieved a deflected rebound in front of the Golden State bench.
Curry had seven assists for the Warriors, who began play Tuesday with most remaining home games in the league (11).
Thompson matched Curry with five 3-pointers to account for a majority of his points, while Green found time for eight assists, eight rebounds and six blocked shots.
The Warriors were able to beat the 76ers for an eighth straight time despite shooting just 36.8 percent from the field.
Golden State completed a season-series sweep of Philadelphia, and in the process improved its record against Eastern Conference teams this season to 22-5.
Saric had 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the 76ers (24-43), who completed a four-game Western swing with a 1-3 record.
Jahlil Okafor added 22 points and Richaun Holmes 14 for the 76ers, who shot 44.3 percent from the field.
NOTES: The 76ers outrebounded the Warriors 50-42, with PF Robert Covington leading the way with nine. ... The Warriors played at home on each of PG Stephen Curry's previous three birthdays as well. He had 27 points (Cleveland), 25 (New York) and 27 (New Orleans) in those games. ... Curry was born in Akron, Ohio, a distinction he shares with SF LeBron James and Warriors Hall of Fame C Nate Thurmond. ... Asked before the game to assess the Warriors' remaining schedule, Golden State coach Steve Kerr said: "Eleven of our last 16 at home. Not a lot of travel. It's a good spot to be in."