Thunder-Warriors Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Jan 23 2013 2:52AM

Kevin Durant's status as the NBA's leading scorer isn't much of a surprise, but he's been particularly impressive during the Oklahoma City's recent success on the road.

Stephen Curry's impressive shooting has the Golden State Warriors regaining momentum.

Durant and the NBA-best Thunder go for an eighth win in nine tries Wednesday night, when they attempt to beat Curry and the Warriors for a sixth straight meeting.

Durant leads the league with 29.5 points per game, and the superstar forward is bidding for a fourth consecutive scoring title - a feat that hasn't been achieved since Michael Jordan reeled off seven in a row spanning 1986-87 through 1992-93. His production has been staggering during the Thunder's 5-1 run on the road, averaging 39.5 points while connecting on 51.4 percent from the floor - 42.0 from behind the arc.

Durant's latest scoring output was the lowest of that stretch, but he still put up 32 points while making 12 of 19 field goals - 5 of 6 from long range - in Tuesday's 109-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Thunder (33-9) hit 15 3-pointers on 27 attempts - the franchise's most makes since going 16 of 31 from the perimeter on Feb. 23, 2005. Oklahoma City's 39.3 3-point percentage is tied with Golden State for tops in the league, and the Thunder are 16-1 when making at least nine from beyond the arc.

"We were getting guys open for 3s," Durant said. "When we're driving and kicking, we're pretty good."

The Warriors (25-15) are well aware of the threat posed by Durant, who averages 33.6 points over his last eight visits to Oracle Arena. He also had his first career triple-double against them at home Nov. 18, compiling 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 119-109 victory, extending the Thunder's winning streak in the series to five games.

"I think he's the most talented offensive player in the league," Golden State guard Jarrett Jack said. "Definitely size-wise, he presents a matchup problem with him being (6-foot-9). He's basically Dirk Nowitzki, but with better ball handling. He's a tough cover, but I think we have the guy that can make his looks difficult."

Golden State also has an impressive outside shooter of its own in Curry, second in the NBA from 3-point range at 46.4 percent and eighth with a career-high 20.7 points per game. He's averaging 24.6 points while hitting 53.7 percent of 3s over his last five games

"When you start to talk about elite point guards in this league ... as far as shooting the long ball, Stef is by far the best at his position," Jack said. "Playing with him on a regular basis I've got a better appreciation for him."

The Warriors certainly appreciate Curry after losing back-to-back games last week while he sat out with an ankle injury. They've won both games since his return while he's totaled 48 points, including 28 in Monday's 106-99 win over the Pacific Division-leading Clippers.

Golden State is 5 1/2 games back of Los Angeles, and closing that gap likely means another big effort from Curry since the Warriors surrender an average of 116.6 points over the past five meetings with the Thunder.

Curry has 22.3 points per game over 11 career matchups, getting 22 on Nov. 18.

David Lee had 12 points and 11 rebounds Monday, and may find himself matched up with Durant. He's averaging 22.2 points and 11.3 boards over the past six games with Oklahoma City. That includes 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double in a 119-116 loss in the most recent meeting in Oakland on Feb. 7.

Durant finished with 33 points, getting two on the go-ahead jumper with 14.2 seconds left.

Russell Westbrook has 31 points and seven assists in that visit, and he enters this one averaging 32.2 points over his last five games.

Curry, Lee lead Warriors past Thunder 104-99

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ
Posted Jan 24 2013 2:23AM

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry banked in an off-balance shot while getting fouled by Russell Westbrook to start a three-point play, falling to his knees and shaking his shoulders to the sellout crowd.

Not quite the shimmy Mark Jackson displayed during his playing days - still plenty good enough to please the Golden State coach.

Curry had 31 points and seven assists, and the Warriors punctuated the season's midpoint by outlasting the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder 104-99 in style Wednesday night.

"The way he's playing," Jackson said, "dance all you want."

On the eve of the announcement for All-Star reserves, Golden State's top two candidates made a lasting impression.

Curry matched Kevin Durant's spectacular scores all game, stole a pass from the Thunder's leading man in the final seconds and hit a pair of free throws to seal the Warriors' third straight victory. David Lee had 22 points and 12 rebounds, helped Golden State outrebound Oklahoma City's lengthy frontline 40-39 and made some big plays late.

The Warriors, with one playoff appearance since 1994, are 26-15 and own the fifth-best record in the Western Conference with another 41 games to play.

"I'm sure we're surprising people," Curry said.

Even Jackson, who doubles as a preacher, said he always had faith his team could win but "I get my praise and worship on because I didn't think it'd be this good," especially with center Andrew Bogut still sidelined indefinitely while recovering from left ankle surgery.

Durant had 33 points, nine assists and five rebounds, and Kevin Martin scored 16 points for the Thunder, who blew an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter a night after running away with a win at the Los Angeles Clippers. Oklahoma City (33-10) had won seven of eight but still remains at the top of the NBA standings.

"We could have been much better defensively," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "They made a lot of plays inside the paint but they got a lot of points off of our turnovers, too. We didn't make enough plays down the stretch and they did. They deserved to win this game."

Once again, the Warriors showed they're no fluke out West this season.

Lee found Carl Landry slicing through the lane for a dunk, Klay Thompson hit a running hook as part of his 19 points and Landry put back his own miss to give Golden State a 97-94 lead with 2:25 remaining.

Kendrick Perkins tipped in a rebound on the other end before Jarrett Jack swished in a high-arching shot over Durant near the top of the key to put the Warriors ahead by three again. Durant answered back with a pair of free throws, only to watch Lee's layup extend Golden State's lead once more.

Durant hit one of two free throws to slice Golden State's lead to 101-99, then Curry missed an open 3-pointer to give the Thunder a chance with 17.5 seconds to play.

Durant caught the inbounds pass on the right side and tried to slip a quick pass to Perkins in the paint. Instead, Curry intercepted and was fouled, making both free throws to put the Warriors ahead by four with 12.4 seconds left.

"The design was to get me a shot coming off toward the corner but they had two on the ball and they left Perk," Durant said. "I've just got to make a better read. I thought he was going to dive. I've got to hold onto that ball. That's all on me. I can't put Perk in that position."

Curry also outplayed Westbrook, who is likely headed for an All-Star selection. Westbrook had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting 3 of 16 from the floor, including 0 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Golden State hasn't had an All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. That drought might end Thursday when the NBA announces the reserves, who are voted on by coaches.

"He had my vote," Brooks said of Curry.

Even with all of Oklahoma City's length and quickness, Curry often made the game seem like his own layup line.

He sliced and shook through the lane to convert three straight layups, capping the brief burst with a no-look reverse off his left hand. The Warriors were outshot 60 to 47 percent in the first quarter, though they still led 27-26 in large part because of six turnovers by Oklahoma City.

Durant stayed on the offensive and pushed the pace. He got past Landry for an uncontested dunk after the Warriors forward tweaked his ankle preparing to defend Durant, who also made a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws during a 10-3 run that put the Thunder ahead 45-38 midway through the second quarter.

Durant and Curry continued to dazzle in the second half, each with a spectacular score on one end only to have the other come back even stronger. At one point, the 6-foot-9 Durant covered the diminutive point guard, chasing him around screens all over the perimeter.

No matter.

Curry kept on coming and so did the Warriors, who went up 72-68 on his three-point play, which Curry celebrated with a shimmy similar to the one Jackson often showcased as an NBA point guard. Curry said he hadn't practiced the move, nor could he recall exactly what he did in the moment.

"It's truly genuine," he said.

So might be Golden State's play this season.

NOTES: The Warriors are the only team to beat the Thunder, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers this season. ... Oklahoma City is 6-3 on the second night of back-to-back games this season. ... The Thunder are 2-2 on their season-long six-game trip.

Notebook: Warriors 104, Thunder 99

Geoff Lepper, for NBA.com
Posted Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:16 AM - Updated Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:16 AM

THE FACTS: Golden State point guard Stephen Curry capped the first half of his season with an All-Star caliber performance, dropping 31 points and securing a critical steal in the closing seconds as the Warriors held off the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 104-99 Wednesday.

Deserted by his usually reliable 3-point stroke, Curry went 8-for-13 from inside the arc, adding seven assists as the Warriors moved to 26-15 at the halfway point of their season. That's the franchise's best first-half record since 1991-92, a run capped by home wins against the Clippers and Thunder -- owners of two of the league's top three records.

David Lee, Golden State's other contender for inclusion among the Western Conference All-Star reserves, provided 22 points and 12 rebounds for his league-leading 17th game of at least 20 and 10 in those categories.

Kevin Durant finished with 33 points and nine assists, but his impact was blunted by six turnovers, part of 19 on the night for the Thunder, who had won their last five games against the Warriors. Point guard Russell Westbrook also coughed the ball up six times, and compounded that with a 3-for-16 shooting night, leading to a season-low-tying 10 points.

QUOTABLE: "It's been a huge week for us so far. Tonight being the halfway point, it puts a lot of things in perspective. We've come a long way as a team. We've proven that we can play with anybody. Now we need to go continue to take care of business."
-- David Lee

THE STAT: In addition to knocking off the Western Conference's top two teams in the span of three days, the Warriors are the first team this year to beat the Thunder, Clippers and Heat -- marking them as a potentially dangerous playoff opponent. Although, as Lee pointed out, "I think we're probably the only team that's lost twice to Sacramento and Orlando, too."

TURNING POINT: With Golden State doubling Durant on inbounds plays down the stretch, Oklahoma City thought they'd burn the Warriors -- only to see Curry turn the situation on its head. Trailing 101-99 with 17.5 seconds remaining, the Thunder looked for Durant coming to the right wing for the initial pass. Golden State rookies Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green both collapsed on Durant, who tried to whip a pass to center Kendrick Perkins for an easy dribble-and-dunk through the vacated lane. But Westbrook floated too high after dragging from the baseline to the top of the key, allowing Curry to sag off of him and duck in to swipe Durant's pass. Curry then drained a pair of free throws to put the Warriors up by four points with 12.4 seconds left.

QUOTABLE II: "It's just a great read by Steph, because Westbrook is a little further out. Steph anticipated the play, got back in the picture, and that's what we're talking about by multiple-effort plays; he was on Westbrook initially, got back into the play. That's what the good defensive teams do. That's what the good defensive individuals do -- they make multiple-effort plays and make sure they're in the mix."
-- Warriors coach Mark Jackson

HOT: Durant was simply unguardable for much of the first half, going 6-for-8 from the floor, knocking down both of his 3-point attempts and doling out eight assists in a magisterial performance.

NOT: Westbrook was at the opposite pole from his running mate, sluggish from the outset and never in sync with his teammates. That Oklahoma City still managed 57 points in the first half despite Westbrook's four turnovers and 1-for-6 shooting was a minor miracle.

GOOD MOVE: Part of Westbrook's struggles might have been caused by the Warriors' crossmatching of shooting guard Klay Thompson onto him defensively. With Curry taking the less taking assignment of Thabo Sefolosha, Thompson was able to put his length to work frustrating Westbrook with solid positional D. Once Westbrook was clearly neutralized, the Warriors even moved Thompson onto Durant -- although that backfired in that it led to Thompson fouling out with 2:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Warriors forward Carl Landry, who has been relatively quiet of late, came back with 20 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes. It was his first 20-point night since Nov. 10, and included eight points and five boards in the fourth quarter alone.

NOTABLE: This was Oklahoma City's first loss in 30 games when the Thunder led after three quarters. . . . Thompson finished with 19 points, 15 in the first half. . . . Kevin Martin had 16 points and four steals for the Thunder. . . . The game was tight throughout, with 19 lead changes, 16 ties and no leads above eight points. . . . Golden State enjoyed its 11th consecutive sellout.

UP NEXT: For the Thunder, Friday @ Sacramento, Sunday @ L.A. Lakers, Thursday vs. Memphis. For the Warriors, Friday @ Chicago, Saturday @ Milwaukee, Monday @ Toronto.

• Thunder: Lamb, Orton
• Warriors: Bogut, Rush

• Thunder: Sefolosha
• Warriors: --

• Lead Changes: 19
• Times Tied: 16

• Arena: ORACLE Arena, Oakland, CA
• Officials: #19 James Capers, #66 Haywoode Workman, #59 Gary Zielinski
• Attendance: 19596
• Duration: 2:18