The Golden State Warriors’ big three returned to help lift them over the Utah Jazz, 123-114, in a Saturday night matchup at Chase Center.
Jimmy Butler added 15 points and seven assists. Warriors forward Draymond Green had eight points, three rebounds, two assists and a block in 12 minutes before getting tossed from the game after receiving two technical fouls, back-to-back, with 2:25 left in the second quarter.
‘Got some clean looks and understood what they were trying to do defensively and taking advantage of switches,’ Curry said to reporters. ‘We played great defense for most of that quarter which gave us transition opportunities and was able to run.’
Lauri Markkannen led the Jazz with 35 points. Keyonte George had 22. Utah led at the end of the first half, 65-58.
Golden State woke up in the second half and played like a team on a mission.
‘Just the level of connection and competition,’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said to reporters. ‘In the first half we went through the motions, the spirit wasn’t right. The second half guys were really connected, came together and put together a great 24 minutes.’
Golden State fought back in the second half and eventually took a 77-76 lead with 7:37 in third on a Quinten Post alley-oop pass to Gary Payton II who slammed in down for two in a halfcourt set.
‘That spark off that bench,’ Payton said on his contributing role to the team. ‘Get in, get my guys open space to work and just be the outlet for them if they get in trouble. It would help if I can make some layups but other than that just bringing energy and effort off the bench.’
Payton ended the game with 10 points and eight rebounds. He helped spur the team’s second unit to outscore the Jazz bench, 46-30.
Curry began to heat up in the third. He made one of his patented look-away three-pointers and from there he and the Warriors started to gain momentum. He followed with another three-pointer, sparking a burst of energy from the crowd. Curry scored 20 in the third quarter, including a rare play above the rim from Curry.
Curry referenced his dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers last year, saying he thought that would’ve been his last one but has to check with his teammates if they count his ‘jam’ against the Jazz.
‘I surprised myself when I got in the air that I was high enough,’ Curry told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I’m gonna count it because who knows how many chances I’ll get. I’ll have to ask the locker room if they agree with me or not.’
De’Anthony Melton, who scored 13 points and knocked down three long-distance shots, said he counts it.
‘Uhh,’ Melton told USA TODAY Sports while scratching his head. ‘We gonna count it. Anything 30 does above the rim, we gotta count.’
Payton did not share that same sentiment.
‘Absolutely, not,’ Payton said to USA TODAY Sports. ‘We gave him one last year. This one, he let it go and grabbed the rim. I talked to him about it after that. We’re not gonna allow that one.’
Warriors went up by as much as seven. Golden State led at the end of the third quarter, 100-96.
Rookie guard Will Richard got things cooking for the Warriors to open the fourth quarter, knocking down consecutive long-distance shots.
The Warriors held on to a 12-point lead, 111-99, with under nine minutes remaining in the game and held on to a double-digit lead through much of the fourth quarter.
The Warriors move to 19-17 and remain eighth in the Western Conference standings, while the Jazz fall to 12-22 at the 13th spot.
Warriors vs. Jazz highlights
Warriors’ next five games
Jan. 5 at Los Angeles Clippers
Jan. 7 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Jan. 9 vs. Sacramento Kings
Jan. 11 vs. Atlanta Hawks
Jan. 13 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
