He’s getting hotter
Curry hits season-high points as Warriors outlast Celtics
SAN FRANCISCO: Stephen Curry scored a season-high 49 points and the defending champions Golden State Warriors outlasted the Boston Celtics 109-105 in an NBA showdown of conference leaders.
The Celtics sought a third win in as many seasons on the Warriors’ home court and could have become the first team since the 2013-14 season to sweep a season series from Golden State.
But Curry seized command in the second half, outbattling Celtics star Kyrie Irving in a game that could be a preview of June’s NBA Finals.
Curry went 16-of-24 from the floor, including 8-of-13 from 3-point range, while Irving led Boston with 37 points on 13-of-18 shooting, making 5-of-6 3-pointers.
“We bring the best out of each other,” Curry said on Saturday.
Curry sank a 3-pointer to put Golden State ahead 98-95 and, after an Irving miss, sank a layup for a 100-95 Warriors’ edge with 68 seconds remaining.
Late free throws by Curry put the Warriors ahead 105-101 but Terry Rozier’s 3-pointer pulled Boston within a point with 7.7 seconds remaining, forcing Curry to sink four more in the final seconds to seal the triumph.
The Warriors are trying to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive season and capture their third crown in four tries.
“We’ve got the rhythm and we’re trying to do something special again this year,” Curry said.
Russell Westbrook had a triple double with a game-high 31 points plus 11 rebounds and 13 assists in Oklahoma City’s 121108 victory at Detroit.
”This is like a playoff-type game,” Curry said. — AFP