OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Golden State Warriors have learned through countless games that they have enough depth to absorb a one-game absence to one of their star players. The Warriors also learned in their 110-95 victory they can also manage just fine when their other star players have off nights.
Warriors forward Kevin Durant missed his third game in the past four contests because of a sprained left ankle. Warriors guard Stephen Curry had only 24 points while shooting 9-of-25 from the field and 3-of-13 from 3-point range. And Warriors forward Draymond Green had only six points, while playing falling with foul trouble (five).
Such developments would devastate most NBA teams. The Warriors (15-5) are not most NBA teams, though.
They have another clutch shooter in Klay Thompson, who had a team-leading 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range. They have a dependable role player in Andre Iguodala, who offered 14 points and plenty of other things not reflected in a box score. They have a versatile player such as Green, who can overcome shooting and foul trouble with eight assists and seven rebounds. They have a defense that could hold New Orleans (11-9) to a 41 percent mark from the field, and force 17 turnovers.
Unlike on Friday night when the Warriors posted a season-high 143 points against Chicago, the Warriors opened Saturday's game against New Orleans without the prolific play that makes the NBA envy them. The Warriors trailed 31-17 after the first quarter after shooting 7 of 27 from the field (25.9) and 1-of-11 from 3-point range. Curry missed his first eight shots, including five 3-pointers. And New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday scored 17 points of his 24 points in the first quarter.
That all changed in the second quarter, as the Warriors tied the Pelicans 53-53 at halftime. Thompson posted 14 points while making all four of his 3-point attempts. New Orleans shot 6-of-21 from the field and 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
As for Curry's struggles, it took him longer than usual to find his shot. He hit his first field goal to cut New Orleans' lead to 52-50 with 55.5 seconds left in the first half. He made his first 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 73-67 cushion with 3:52 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors held together from then on, offering enough to get by even as injuries and shooting woes diminished their star power.
