Warriors win again to close in on NBA record
Date
3/31/2016 4:06:33 PM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won in overtime 103-96. (Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY: Stephen Curry scored 31 points including six straight in overtime as Golden State continued its historic run for the NBA record for most wins in a regular season with a 103-96 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
The Warriors (68-7) surpassed last season's victory total and must win five of their final seven games to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record of 72-10.
"I love our competitive spirit" Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "No matter what our record ends up it almost doesn't matter. It is just an incredible display of competition and fight night after night."
The San Antonio Spurs the Warriors' closest rival in the Western Conference beat the injury-depleted Pelicans 100-92 for their NBA record 38th straight home victory to open a season topping the 37-0 start by the Bulls during their record season two decade go. Golden State has an existing 36-game home winning streak to open the season giving the Warriors a chance to end up with the record.
"It doesn't matter to me" San Antonio point guard Tony Parker said. "No. Championship (is all that matters)."
Manu Ginobili scored 20 points while Kawhi Leonard had 16 points in his return from a three-game absence showing no discomfort after bruising his right quadriceps last Wednesday. Alexis Ajinca had 18 points for New Orleans which was without nine players due to injury.
DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points as Toronto earned its franchise-record 50th victory of the season with a 105-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks while Julius Randle hit a tiebreaking hook shot in the paint with 1.9 seconds left in overtime as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied late in a tumultuous day to beat Miami Heat 102-100.
Jordan Clarkson scored six of his 26 points in overtime for the Lakers who ended a four-game losing streak with just their 16th win of the season.
Will Barton scored 25 points and Emmanuel Mudiay had 17 as the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 109-105 DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points 10 rebounds five steals and four blocks as the Sacramento Kings hurt the Washington Wizards' playoff hopes with a 120-111 win.
Chris Paul had 20 points 16 assists and eight rebounds to lead the LA Clippers to their fourth straight victory 99-79 over the Minnesota Timbervolves.
J.J. Barea scored 26 points and made the go-ahead layup with 49.9 seconds left to help the Dallas Mavericks rally in the fourth quarter and beat the New York Knicks 91-89.
The Mavericks tied the Rockets for eighth place in the Western Conference.
Khris Middleton scored nine of his 26 points in the final 7:31 while Jabari Parker added 21 points as the Milwaukee Bucks stopped a five-game slide with a 105-94 defeat of the Phoenix Suns.
AP