They were kicked around and scratched up in their own house, yet somehow survived.
The Warriors rode a furious fourth-quarter rally Saturday night to wipe out a nine-point deficit and take a 123-116 victory over the ambitious Phoenix Suns before a sellout crowd at Oracle Arena.
The win extended to 48, the Warriors’ ongoing record for most consecutive victories at home.
Four Warriors scored in double figures, with Stephen Curry’s game-high 35 points leading the way. Marreese Speights totaled 25 points, Klay Thompson put in 20 and Draymond Green added 19.
The Warriors (59-6) remain one full game ahead of the pace set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who finished with an all-time best 72-10 record.
After allowing the lowly Suns (17-49) to shoot 54.3 percent through three quarters – including 68.2 percent in the third quarter – the Warriors clamped down on defense in the fourth and held Phoenix to 31.8 (7-of-22) shooting.
That, along with committing only eight turnovers, was enough for the Warriors to offset a 47-42 rebounding disadvantage.
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STANDOUT PERFORMER
Curry was tremendous, as usual, but Speights wins the honor because, quite simply, the Warriors wouldn’t have won without his contributions off the bench.
Speights’ line: 25 points (10-of-14 shooting, 0-of-1 from deep), team-high-tying nine rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. He was plus-13 for the game.
Curry’s line: 35 points (12-of-24 shooting, 7-of-16 from deep), six assists and three rebounds. He was plus-19.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 95-86 after three quarters, the Warriors opened the fourth with a 16-3 run to go up 102-98 with 8:30 remaining.
Moreover, the run energized the crowd and the Warriors, who lost the lead twice more but owned the quarter, leading by as much as 11 (119-108, 2:17 to play).
The Warriors outscored Phoenix 37-21 in the final quarter.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (L ankle sprain) was listed as questionable but declared out two hours before tipoff. He will be reevaluated in two weeks. C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) was listed as out.
Suns: G Eric Bledsoe (L knee surgery) and F T.J. Warren (R foot fracture) were listed as out.
ROSTER NOTE
Warriors rookie F Kevon Looney on Saturday morning was assigned to D-League Santa Cruz.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Monday night when they play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:40 p.m.
