Thompson, Warriors hold off Pistons for fifth straight win
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Klay Thompson reached the 5,000-point milestone and knocked down two late 3-pointers in a 69-second span, leading the Golden State Warriors past the Detroit Pistons 105-98 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.
Thompson finished with 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting in the Warriors’ 51st victory — matching their total from last season — and their eighth straight against Detroit, Golden State’s second-longest streak in the series.
Andre Drummond had a career-high 27 rebounds — 17 offensive — to go with 22 points in the Pistons’ eighth straight loss.
Thompson’s two 3s came during a decisive 18-2 run, including one with 5:37 left to put Golden State ahead by 10 as Detroit couldn’t fight back.
This game didn’t give coach Steve Kerr as much time to rest his regulars as he might have liked, though Stephen Curry did get a second-half break. The Warriors have a busy week with a game in Denver on Friday night before returning home Saturday to host the Knicks and kick off a six-game homestand.
Andrew Bogut had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots for Golden State.
Curry slipped a pretty behind-the-back pass to assist on Leandro Barbosa’s baseline 3-pointer late in the third that helped Golden State take a 79-76 lead into the final 12 minutes. That was one of his 11 assists to go with nine points and five boards.
A day after Detroit took 35 3-pointers — making eight — the Pistons managed only three attempts in the first half from long range and went 4 for 12 overall.
The teams traded baskets for much of the third quarter as Detroit stayed close to threaten on one of the NBA’s toughest home courts.
The Warriors won 104-93 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 30, and Detroit held Curry and Thompson to a combined 31 points that game.
How would they do that again?
“We probably don’t,” coach Stan Van Gundy quipped.
Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s celebrity seat mate courtside was MC Hammer. New Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson also attended.
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TIP-INS
Pistons: The Pistons have dropped five straight at Golden State since a 107-102 win Nov. 13, 2008. … Detroit dropped to 8-19 against the Western Conference. … F Quincy Miller will stay on for the remainder of the season and have an opportunity to be part of summer league and then training camp. He signed his second 10-day contract with the Pistons on March 3.
Warriors: Thompson became the 28th Warriors player to reach 5,000 points. He also blocked a shot for his fourth straight game, tied for the second-longest such streak of his career. … Golden State has held Detroit to below 100 points in each game during the winning streak and improved to 33-0 this season when holding an opponent below 100. The eight straight wins in the series are Golden State’s most since 10 in a row from 1970-72. Golden State improved to 28-2 at home.
UP NEXT
Pistons: At Portland on Friday.
Warriors: At Denver on Friday.
This article was written by Janie Mccauley from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.
