Jimmy Butler III and Gary Payton II recorded double-doubles in the absence of All-Star Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski sparked a late leadoff run and the Golden State Warriors outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans for a 104-96 triumph Saturday night in San Francisco.
After losing two of three to start a five-game homestand and facing the prospect of being without the injured Curry, the Warriors used a late 12-point burst to overcome 12 of 47 (25.5%) shooting on 3-pointers.
After Saddiq Bey’s two free throws gave the visitors a final lead at 88-87 with 4:02 to play, Podziemski put Golden State ahead for good on a 3-pointer with 3:50 to play.
The Warriors then held the Pelicans scoreless until just 46 seconds remained, and in the meantime extended their lead on a Payton dunk and layup – both assisted by Butler – an inside hoop by Butler and a 3-pointer by Payton off an assist from Podziemski to open a 99-88 margin with 57 seconds remaining.
Butler finished with a team-high 24 points and 10 assists, along with eight rebounds for the Warriors, who won despite dominating 25-16 at the free throw line. Butler had 10 points on Golden State’s free throws on 14 attempts.
Payton, who had not recorded double figures in points, rebounds or assists in the Warriors’ first 20 games, had 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Jonathan Kuminga, returning from a seven-game absence, scored 10 points, while Podziemski had 15 and Moses Moody 11 for the Warriors, who took a 42-38 halftime lead despite missing on 20 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc in the first 24 minutes.
Zion Williamson had a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who took a lead of as many as 10 in the first half despite making just one of their 11 3-point attempts. New Orleans finished 7 of 30 from deep (23.3%) en route to the 11th loss in its last 12 games.
Yves Missi had a team-high 10 rebounds to round out the Pelicans’ nine points, while Bey had 21 points and Jeremiah Fears 16.
–Field level media
