Stephen Curry continued his explosive start to the season, scoring 53 points to lead the undefeated Golden State Warriors to a 134-120 win over New Orleans Saturday.
The Pelicans had no answer for Curry’s swagger as the reigning league MVP picked up right where he left off last season. His 118 points through the first three games is the most since Michael Jordan bagged 118 in 1989.
It was the third straight NBA win for the Warriors and the third consecutive double-digit loss for the Pelicans, who were playing their home opener at Smoothie King Center.
“When nights like tonight happen, you find shots and they keep going in,” Curry said. “I was just trying to be aggressive, was able to get in the paint a good amount, knock down some threes and keep them honest, and kind of open the game up. So it was really fun.”
Two of the Warriors wins have come against New Orleans, including a 111-95 season opening victory on Tuesday in which Curry scored 40 points, including 24 in the first quarter.
Curry scored 28 points in the third quarter Saturday, helping the Warriors convert a 65-64 halftime deficit into a 105-91 lead.
Curry was 10 of 13 from the field in the quarter. He even added a rare four-point play that gave Golden State a 105-89 lead.
Draymond Green scored 21 points, Klay Thompson 19 and Harrison Barnes 11 for the Warriors.
Anthony Davis rebounded from a sluggish start to lead the Pelicans with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, Ryan Anderson 19 and Toney Douglas 17 for New Orleans.
New Orlean’s led 65-64 at the half, their first lead after any quarter this season. The Pelicans outscored the Warriors 11-1 in second chance points and had an 11-2 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Curry and Thompson combined for 31 first-half points, with Thompson scoring 16 points and Curry 15.
Holiday had 13 points in the first half, including 11 in the first quarter, for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans were playing without forward Quincy Pondexter and guards Norris Cole and Tyreke Evans who were out with injuries.
Elsewhere, Derrick Favors scored 18 points to lead six Utah players in double figures, and the Jazz outscored the Indiana Pacers 55-27 during the second half en route to a 97-76 win.
In Washington, Carmelo Anthony carried New York with 37 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter as the Knicks defeated the host Wizards 117-110. – Agence France-Presse
