OAKLAND – Finish line to the season in sight, the Warriors are wobbling and staggering and stumbling.
And, still, they are winning.
Their 102-94 win over the Washington Wizards was not a game the Warriors ever want to see again. The crowd attending the 170th consecutive sellout Tuesday night at Oracle Arena was more anxious than fascinated but ultimately appreciative.
Stephen Curry scored 26 points to lead four Warriors scoring in double figures. Klay Thompson totaled 16 points, Draymond Green tossed in 15 and Harrison Barnes added 14.
The Warriors won at home for the 54th consecutive time, an ongoing NBA record and pushed to 36-0 their record at Oracle this season. With their record this season at 67-7, they remain one game ahead of the pace set by the 1996-96 Chicago Bulls, whose 72-10 record is the best in NBA history.
The Warriors also reduced to four their magic number to clinch the best record and in the league and the No. 1 overall seed.
The defending champs won for the 12th time in 13 games despite shooting only 44.2 percent for the game. They also committed 16 turnovers for the game, off which Washington scored 17 points.
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The Wizards, scuffling about the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race, dropped to 36-38 and remain on the outside. Bradley Beal scored 17 points to lead Washington scorers.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
In a game that seemed to sink for the better part of 48 minutes, Green was the human life raft for the Warriors.
Green’s line: 15 points (4-of-6 shooting, 3-of-4 from 3-point distance), a game-high 16 rebounds, a team-high nine assists and two blocked shots. He played 36 minutes and was plus-eight for the game.
Barnes also played well, adding nine rebounds to his 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting.
TURNING POINT:
After forward Markieff Morris made two free throws to pull Washington within two (74-72) with 1:22 left in the third quarter, the Warriors answered with a 13-1 run spanning the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth.
The Warriors went up 87-73 on a jump hook by Barnes with 9:32 left to play.
The Wizards staged a late rally to pull within six inside the final minutes but never seriously threatened.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: F Brandon Rush (R knee bruise) was listed as questionable and ruled out prior to tipoff. F Andre Iguodala (L ankle sprain), C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) and F Kevon Looney (R hip inflammation) were listed as out.
Wizards: F Markieff Morris (L calf strain) was listed as questionable, declared available prior to tipoff and was placed in the starting lineup. F Alan Anderson (L groin strain) was listed as questionable and ruled out.
WHAT’S NEXT:
The Warriors immediately after the game traveled to Salt Lake City, where on Wednesday they will face the Utah Jazz. Tipoff at Vivint Smart Home Arena is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. PDT.
