LOS ANGELES (AP) – Terance Mann and the Los Angeles Clippers are beginning to prove they can consistently overcome big games by opposing superstars.
After weathering a 45-point performance from Luca Doncic to defeat Dallas on Saturday, the Clippers were able to withstand a huge first half from Stephen Curry before taking control in the second and beating the Golden State Warriors 119-104 on Monday night.
“It felt like Steph vs the Clippers (in the first half). I was proud of the way we continued to play,” said Reggie Jackson, who had 19 points for Los Angeles. “It was fun competing against a great team.”
Curry ended up with a game-high 33 points, including eight three-pointers. The All-Star guard hit his first six shots, including four from beyond the arc, and had 26 points in the first half on nine-of-11 shooting before going cold in the second. Curry was two of seven from the field after halftime.
While he finished 11 of 18 from the floor, Golden State’s other players shot only 41.2 per cent (28 of 68). Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole each had 13 points, but Klay Thompson scored just seven after going three for 14.
“I had two good floaters to start the game and kind of got in a good rhythm.
“We just couldn’t get any momentum at all during the game,” Curry said.
The Warriors (42-16) have dropped three-of-four to fall five games behind Phoenix for the top spot in the NBA standings.
They are only two games ahead of Memphis for second place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers (29-30) are back within a game of .500 after two straight wins.