The Golden State Warriors put an emphatic end to their six-game homestand on Monday, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 138-87 and extending their winning streak to eight games with their largest margin of victory ever at Chase Center.
The Warriors, who will begin a five-game road trip at the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, did so by sharing the wealth.
Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski each scored 25 points and shot a combined 9-for-18 from behind the arc. Standout rookie Yaxel Lendeborg continued his stellar start with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting, seven rebounds and four assists.
The Warriors recorded 37 assists on 50 field goals, with Draymond Green and Al Horford finishing with six apiece.
After opening the season with three consecutive losses, the Warriors quickly rounded into shape, and the winning streak has vaulted them near the top of the West.
“We just have a really good feeling,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Everybody’s having fun, excited to come into the gym every day, putting in the work. And it shows on the court just the way they’re sharing the ball and making the right play. And it’s fun.
“You can feel it. It’s hard to quantify this stuff, but you can feel it every year with a team, what the vibes are, and this team’s got a great one.”
Pundits initially questioned the Warriors’ roster construction. But Curry remains a transcendent scorer, even at 38, and his 30.6 points per game are second in the NBA to Luka Doncic. Lendeborg (21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists per game) has been a revelation, and despite several critical injuries, the Warriors persevere.
The Rockets were down to one traditional center against the Denver Nuggets on Monday with Steven Adams (calf), Clint Capela (ankle) and Oscar Tshiebwe (illness) all unavailable. Alperen Sengun was left to man the middle. Houston overcame those absences with a collective rebounding effort to beat the Nuggets 110-100 and snap a two-game skid.
Sengun posted 20 points, 11 rebounds — including a game-high five offensive boards — and eight assists. Kevin Durant surpassed Sengun with 12 rebounds and eight assists while recording 23 points. The Rockets finished plus-11 on the boards and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, yeoman’s work while utilizing small-ball lineups.
“When I can get down there and help rebound, it’s key,” Durant said. “But for the most part, I try to adapt to anything and be in good shape so I can go out there and play long.”
Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. combined for 16 rebounds and grabbed three offensive boards apiece. Tari Eason recorded five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
The Rockets expect Adams and Capela to return on their upcoming road trip from Nov. 15-20, but in the interim they’ve been ruled out for the Warriors game. Houston will need all hands on deck again to handle rebounding duties.
“(Durant) having 12, (Sengun) had five offensive rebounds, but outside of those two, big offensive rebounds out of Amen and Jabari getting in there cleaning up. Tari as well,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “It’s going to take a concerted effort when we’re playing smaller.”
