SAN ANTONIO -- Another strong defensive effort leaves the Warriors one win away from advancing to the second round of the NBA playoffs.
Holding San Antonio to 42.5-percent shooting from the field and getting double-digit scoring from five players, the Warriors beat the Spurs 110-97 in Game 3 Thursday night at AT&T Center.
Kevin Durant put in 26 points to lead all scorers, while Klay Thompson tossed in 19, Shaun Livingston had 16, Quinn Cook 12, and Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala 10 apiece as the Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
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The Spurs, playing under assistant coach Ettore Messina in the absence of Gregg Popovich, showed plenty of emotion and scrap but faded down the stretch.
STANDOUT PERFORMER: Durant submitted his third consecutive complete offensive performance, but also had some strong defensive sequences.
Durant’s line: 26 points (9-of-17 shooting from the field, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, 7-of-7 from the line), nine rebounds and six assists. He played 34 minutes and finished plus-18.
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TURNING POINT: After Dejounte Murray drilled a 3-pointer to pull the Spurs within four, 65-61, with 5:55 left in the third quarter, the Warriors went on a 16-5 run, going up 81-66 on a pair of free throws by Livingston.
The Warriors took an 84-72 lead into the fourth quarter and led by as much 19 before closing it out.
OF NOTE: Popovich was not available due to the death of his wife, Erin, on Wednesday.
INJURY UPDATE: Warriors in-game: Durant left with 4:36 remaining after rolling his left ankle. Livingston left with 4:03 remaining, also after rolling his left ankle.
Warriors pre-game: C JaVale McGee (L quad contusion) was listed as questionable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff. G Stephen Curry (L MCL sprain) and G Pat McCaw (lumbar spine contusion) were listed as out.
Spurs: F Joffrey Lauvergne (personal reasons) and F Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) were listed as out.
WHAT’S NEXT: Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 12:30 PDT. Though the game is an ABC telecast, pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 11:30, with postgame coverage immediately after the final horn.
