MANILA – Golden State Warriors bolstered its playoffs hopes in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) season after a 123-108 beating of New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Stephen Curry connected eight outside hits and finished with 41 points, while Andrew Wiggins and Juan Toscano-Anderson supplied 26 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Warriors.
Jordan Poole made his presence felt off-the-bench with 11 points. Draymond Green had an all-around game of 15 assists, 13 rebounds, and 10 points for the Warriors.
The victory carried the Warriors to the eighth spot in the Western Conference with 33-32, overtaking Memphis Grizzlies, which dropped to 32-32 following a 118-104 loss to New York Knicks (37-28).
Golden State were blazing since the start of the game behind Curry and Wiggins’ tandem as they pushed the lead to its largest at 25 points. However, New Orleans clamped to within 66-54 at the half.
The Pelicans pulled even closer to within six points in the third canto, but Curry restored order for the Warriors and scored 15 points to surge the advantage at 20 points.
Zion Williamson scored 32 points, and Brandon Ingram and Naji Marshall added 19 and 12 markers, respectively. The Pelicans dropped to 29-37.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers (44-21) tightened its hold on the Eastern Conference’s top spot standings after a 106-94 triumph over Chicago Bulls (26-39).
Tobias Harris and Seth Curry anchored the 76ers offense with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Joel Embiid had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
In other results, Washington Wizards prevailed over Indiana Pacers, 154-141; Atlanta Hawks walloped Portland Trail Blazers, 123-114; and Orlando Magic walloped Detroit Pistons, 119-112.
BOX SCORE:
GOLDEN STATE 123 – Curry 41, Wiggins 26, Toscano-Anderson 14, Poole 11, Green 10, Bazemore 9, Looney 6, Mulder 6, Smailagic 0, Mannion 0.
NEW ORLEANS 108 – Williamson 32, Ingram 19, Marshall 12, Bledsoe 11, Hernangomez 10, Hayes 9, Ball 7, Johnson 6, Nunnally 1, Gabriel 1, Iwundu 0, Lewis 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
39-21, 66-54, 95-80, 123-108./PN
