PHOENIX – Stephen Curry had 33 points and the Golden State Warriors reclaimed the NBA top spot by beating the Phoenix Suns 116-107 on Saturday night.
The Warriors arrived in the desert with fewer players. They were deprived of three of their top four scorers due to NBA health and safety protocols – Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole.
Curry transported his team even though he wasn’t necessarily the most precise during the meeting. He made 10 of his 27 shots to get at least 20 points this Christmas for the first time in nine games.
It was Otto Porter Jr. who took over with seven of his 19 points down the stretch. He had a three-point throw and two two-pointers within 62 seconds.
Chris Paul had 21 points and eight assists for the Suns, who saw their 15-game home streak come to an end. Deandre Ayton concluded the evening with 18 points.
The Warriors and Suns have the two best records in the NBA. It was only the third time in league history that a Christmas game was played against two teams that show a winning percentage of at least .800.
This Christmas game is nothing new for the Warriors, who took part for the ninth time in a row and the 11th time in 12 seasons. The Suns, who have been regulars in this game, have played Christmas for the first time since 2009.
The two teams put on quite an offensive show at the Footprint Center, leaving the crowd cheering and marveling.
Curry had 11 points in the first quarter and Gary Payton II extended the Warriors’ lead to 10 points with a dunk. The Suns opened the machine in the second quarter, going 15-3 to enter the locker room with a 62-58 lead.
The two opponents continued to trade three-pointers and raise baskets, but neither was able to separate from the other. After a short streak, the Warriors took the lead 107-99.
The Suns came within two points, but Porter put the score out of the home team’s reach.
