In an entertaining, back-and-forth offensive affair featuring little defense, the Warriors prevailed 113-109 over the New Orleans Pelicans in the waning seconds.
In the final three minutes the Warriors took Anthony Davis to school, on three seperate plays that won Golden State the game.
Steph Curry blew past Anthony Davis on a lay-in at the rim, Kevin Durant had a monster block on Davis, and Draymond Green stole the ball from Davis with 2.3 seconds left — another clutch Defensive Player of the Year type of play with the game on the line.
The Warriors held the Pelicans to just 15 points in the final quarter.
“I’m just trying to be aggressive,” Green told CSN after the win. “AD, I study him a lot. I knew when he faced up I could go after the ball.”
Curry led the way with 30 points (5/9 on threes) and added a ton of energy to the club in a 37-point third quarter, Green produced a triple-double (12 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) and Durant delivered his typical 27 points. Klay Thompson chipped in 17 points.
You could tell this was the last night of a long road trip and that the Warriors wanted to get back home. The Warriors went on a 15-1 run in the third quarter but saw the lead evaporate with lazy defense and sharp shooting from the Pelicans (48.1 percent from the field). There were 13 lead changes in this game.
“I think this has been the toughest road trip of my career,” Green said about the four games in five nights. “We’ll go home and find some energy.”
New Orleans played one of their best games all season, but it wasn’t enough for this talentless squad. Davis scored 28 points but committed 6 turnovers and was whistled for a technical after Green swiped him late in the game. Langston Galloway hit five threes and the Pelicans led by six at halftime.
With Zaza Pachulia nursing an injured wrist, JaVale McGee started his first game as a Warrior, scoring 9 points (4/5) and securing 5 boards in 15 minutes.
Golden State finished their five-game road trip with a 4-1 record, with close call victories in Utah, Minnesota and tonight in New Orleans.
The Warriors return home Thursday to host the New York Knicks.
