KLAY Thompson and Steph Curry drilled seven triples each as the Golden State Warriors prevailed in another blowout win marred by a first half scuffle against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-95,at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).
With the Thunder hanging tough early, the Warriors started pulling away in closing the first half with a 21-8 flurry, before a massive shoving match that started with Steph Curry and Thunder reserve Semaj Christon nearly sparked a free-for-all at midcourt. Curry, though, had the last laugh with a triple to beat the halftime buzzer and gave the Warriors a 20-point lead at the break, 59-39.
It was Golden State's second visit to Oklahoma City since former Thunder star Kevin Durant signed a free agent contract with the rival Warriors last summer. Durant has been out since February with a left knee injury and sat on the bench with his team.
Even with Durant out, the negative energy from the first meeting was still there. Curry exchanged shoves with Oklahoma City's Christon just before halftime, and both were issued technical fouls. Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook and Golden State's Draymond Green also got technical for their roles in the skirmish.
Westbrook had his 15th technical foul of the season, one away from an automatic suspension.
Westbrook’s three-pointer capped a 14-5 start after halftime that got the Thunder within 12 early in the third. But the Warriors unleashed a 19-5 counter to regain a 26-point edge, and the Thunder never threatened the rest of the way with Golden State leading by as much as 27 points.
Thompson had 34 points and Curry added 23 as the Warriors star backcourt duo outscored the Thunder starters by four points. JaVale McGee was the only other player in double figures with 10 for Golden State, winners of four straight and swept the season series over Oklahoma City to improve to a league-best record of 56-14, two and a half games over the San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Oladipo led the way for OKC with 17 points, while Westbrook had 15 markers, eight rebounds and seven assists. Enes Kanter also scored 15 while hauling down 10 boards off the bench for the Thunder, who saw their five-game win streak snapped.