OAKLAND –- The Warriors overcame a sluggish start with a potent second half Thursday night, taking a 116-98 victory over the Lakers and spoiling Kobe Bryant’s final game at Oracle Arena.
Stephen Curry scored a game-high 26 points as the Warriors (37-3) improved to 19-0 at home this season, lifting their home win streak to 37 dating back to last season.
Three other Warriors scored in double figures, with much of the offense provided by a bench that delivered 58 points -– exactly half of their total.
Shaun Livingston tossed in 17 points, Leandro Barbosa flipped in 15 and Harrison Barnes added 12. Klay Thompson was the only other starter in double figures, finishing with 12.
The Warriors were beaten on points in the paint (48-44) and second-chance points (18-9) but destroyed the Lakers on fast-break points, 30-8.
Draymond Green, returning after a one-game absence, finished with seven points (2-of-7 shooting), a team-best nine rebounds and a team-best five assists.
Bryant, who received a pregame video tribune, finished with 8 points on 4-of-15 shooting. The Lakers (9-32) were led by Jordan Clarkson, who totaled 22 points.
Sports
STANDOUT PERFORMER
The game honors are shared between Curry and Barbosa, who provided a lift when the Warriors really needed it.
Curry’s line: 26 points (9-of-18 shooting, 8-of-16 beyond the arc), six rebounds and three assists. He was plus-14 in 30 minutes of action.
Barbosa’s line: 15 points (5-of-7 shooting, 1-of-2 from deep) and two assists. He was plus-4 in 20 minutes.
TURNING POINT
After a dunk by forward Julius Randle pulled the Lakers within three (73-70) with 3:38 left in the third quarter, the Warriors responded with a 13-2 run to take an 86-72 lead after three.
The Warriors outscored the Lakers 34-23 in the third quarter, with Curry scoring 11 of those points.
The Lakers got no closer than 12 in the final quarter.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: Green (rest, right ankle soreness) was listed as questionable before being cleared to play. Forward James Michael McAdoo (left foot toe sprain), listed as doubtful, was declared out prior to tipoff.
Lakers: Bryant (right Achilles strain, right shoulder soreness) was listed as questionable before being cleared to play. Randle (right foot soreness), was listed as probable before being cleared to play. Forward Brandon Bass (right foot soreness), listed as doubtful, was declared out prior to tipoff.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors leave Friday for a three-game road trip that begins Saturday against the Pistons in Detroit. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:35 p.m.
