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[av_heading heading=’Golden State beats down undermanned NY Knicks’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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OAKLAND – Another spectacular passing performance earned Steve Kerr’s postgame praise, yet there was little else the coach liked about his “heavy-legged,” December-weary Warriors after an exhausting road trip.
Klay Thompson scored 25 points and JaVale McGee added a season-best 17 as Golden State beat the undermanned New York Knicks 103-90 on Thursday night.
But at the end of an emotional day for the NBA, news of the death of good friend and colorful sideline reporter Craig Sager made it hard for Kerr and everybody else on the court to focus on basketball.
“Craig’s death and the news today far outweighs anything that happens in the gym,” Kerr said.
Kevin Durant had 15 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, and Stephen Curry pulled down a season-high 10 rebounds to go with eight points and eight assists against a New York team missing stars Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose.
“We kept the ball moving and made them chase the ball all night and got layups,” Durant said. “And we didn’t really shoot the ball that well.”
The Warriors had 36 assists on their initial 36 baskets — 26 in the first half — and all 11 players who appeared in the first half scored in Golden State’s fifth straight win over New York. The Warriors wound up with 41 assists and held a 57-49 rebounding advantage.
Golden State had its third game this season with 40 or more assists, the first team to do that since the Chicago Bulls in 1996-97. The Warriors had a franchise-record 47 assists Nov. 23 against the Lakers.
“That’s the beauty of our team — we don’t worry about the numbers,” Thompson said. “When we move the ball, whoever’s open, shoot the ball.” (AP)
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