The Warriors overcame Atlanta's dominant third quarter and regained control in the 4th quarter of a 102-92 win over the Hawks.
GAME LEADERS
The Warriors saw a 23-point advantage turn into a four-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but timely scoring from the Splash Brothers and Andrew Bogut’s defensive dominance helped the Dubs regain control in Monday’s 102-92 win in Atlanta. With the win, the Warriors improved to 50-5 on the season and became the fastest team in NBA history to reach 50 wins.
It ended up a 10-point win, but the path to get there was interesting to say the least. The Warriors played a near flawless first half. They hit 10 3-pointers to Atlanta’s three, they held the Hawks to 39 points and Stephen Curry had 19 points and seven assists at the break. But it all fell apart in the third quarter, when Atlanta quickly erased a 23-point deficit.
A 33-6 run by the Hawks had the home team up four early in the fourth quarter, but then the momentum changed once again. It started with Klay Thompson hitting a three-pointer to end the Hawks’ dominant run, and that was a sign of things to come. Thompson would hit another triple and had 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.
Stephen Curry also finished strong to tally 36 points and eight assists on the night, but the Warriors wouldn’t have won this game without the paint protection provided by Andrew Bogut. On a day in which the Dubs added a veteran center in Anderson Varejao, their regular starting big man finished with 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. He was especially dominant during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter, blocking three shots that helped guide the Dubs to a 16-5 run that was the difference in the game.
Now armed with 50 wins for the third straight season for the first time in franchise history, the Warriors will look to keep the momentum rolling as they continue their road trip on Wednesday in Miami.