OHIO – Stephen Curry anchored Golden State Warriors’ fourth quarter uprising to beat Cleveland Cavaliers, 104-89, in the 2021-2022 NBA Season on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
Down 68-81 after three quarters, Curry spearheaded the Warriors’ 17-0 fourth quarter start with three straight outside conversions and two layups to take an 85-81 advantage.
The Cavaliers were still hanging around at 88-92 midway in the quarter before the Warriors went for the kill behind Juan Toscano-Anderson and Curry for a 104-89 edge.
Curry finished the match with 40 points, with 20 coming in the fourth quarter, while Nemanja Bjelica added 14 markers.
The Warriors stayed on top in the Westen Conference with 13-2 win-loss slate.
Andrew Wiggins and Damion Lee contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Draymond Green dished out season-high 14 assists to go with four points and two rebounds.
Meanwhile, as the shorthanded Cavaliers dropped to 9-8 win-loss slate, Darius Garland led the way with 25 points, while Kevin Love and Dean Wade chipped in 17 markers apiece.
Cleveland were undermanned with Collin Sexton, Jarrett Allen and rookie Evan Mobley all out with injuries, while Lauri Markkannen still under the NBA coronavirus disease 2019 health and safety protocols.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat (11-5) notched its fourth consecutive victory after defeating Eastern Conference No. 1 team Washington Wizards (10-5), 112-97.
Jimmy Butler spearheaded the Heat offense with 32 points, five assists and four steals. Bam Adebayo added 20 points, while Gabe Vincent and P.J. Tucker had 18 and 15, respectively.
In other results, Minnesota Timberwolves (6-9) prevailed over San Antonio Spurs (4-11), 115-90, while Memphis Grizzlies (8-7) turned back Los Angeles Clippers (9-6), 120-108.
BOX SCORE:
GOLDEN STATE 104 — Curry 40, Bjelica 17, Wiggins 12, Lee 11, Poole 8, Toscano-Anderson 7, Payton 6, Green 4, Looney 2, Porter 0, Chiozza 0, Kuminga 0, Moody 0.
CLEVELAND 89 — Garland 25, Love 17, Wade 17, Rubio 10, Okoro 10, Davis 7, Valentine 2, Pangos 1, Windler 0, Fall 0, Nembhard 0.
Quarterscores: 27-29, 51-54, 68-81, 104-89./PN
