OAKLAND, Calif. _ The Warriors cruised to a 121-114 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday at Oracle Arena nearly 24 hours after experiencing a 35-point loss to Dallas. The Warriors (50-23) also created a one-game cushion over the Denver Nuggets (49-23) for the best record in the Western Conference with nine regular-season games remaining.
It might be hard to anticipate which Warriors team shows up these days against nondescript opponents. On Saturday, the Warriors experienced their most lopsided defeat of the season against a Dallas Mavericks team that owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference. On Sunday, the Warriors experienced minimal hiccups against a Detroit Pistons (37-36) team fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
But the Warriors had a good indication things would turn out much differently against the Pistons. The primary reason? After missing Saturday's game against Dallas for rest purposes, Stephen Curry finished with 26 points while shooting 9-of-19 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3. After the Pistons cut the Warriors' 21-point deficit, Curry gave the Warriors some cushion with a 3 for a 115-103 with 4:43 left
It turns out Curry simply needed to hit the recharge button after appearing in 49 consecutive games.
"He's gone a couple of months straight and has looked a little tired for the last couple of weeks," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Curry. "It made perfect sense. We'll be better for it in the long run."
The Warriors also believe they will be better in the long run by handling some of their other players with care.
Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins missed Sunday's game because of "load management," marking the third time he did not play in the team's entire back-to-back slate to prevent any complications with his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon. Kerr planned Cousins will sit in part of the Warriors' two remaining back-to-back slates this season. Warriors forward Andre Iguodala also missed Sunday's game as part of the team's season-long quest to rest him occasionally to ensure he stays fresh for a presumed postseason-run.
That did not stop the Warriors from beating Pistons. Not only did Curry appear recharged, they played with balance elsewhere.
Klay Thompson added 24 points while going 10-of-17 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3. Kevin Durant added 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting while dishing out 11 assists. Draymond Green bolstered the team with playmaking (14 points, eight assists) and physical defense on Pistons forward Blake Griffin.
