LOS ANGELES (AP) — Terance Mann and the Los Angeles Clippers are beginning to prove they can consistently overcome big games by opposing superstars.
After weathering a 45-point performance from Luca Doncic to defeat Dallas on Saturday, the Clippers were able to withstand a huge first half from Stephen Curry before taking control in the second and beating the Golden State Warriors 119-104 on Monday night.
Curry ended up with a game-high 33 points, including eight 3-pointers. The All-Star guard hit his first six shots, including four from beyond the arc, and had 26 points in the first half on 9-of-11 shooting before going cold in the second. Curry was 2 of 7 from the field after halftime.
While he finished 11 of 18 from the floor, Golden State’s other players shot only 41.2% (28 of 68). Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole each had 13 points, but Klay Thompson scored just seven after going 3 for 14.
The Warriors (42-16) have dropped three of four to fall five games behind Phoenix for the top spot in the NBA standings. They are only two games ahead of Memphis for second place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers (29-30) are back within a game of .500 after two straight wins.
Mann tied a regular-season career high with 25 points, including 14 in the decisive third quarter, as all five Clippers starters scored in double figures. Ivica Zubac had 18 points and eight rebounds.
Mann was 6 of 7 from the field in the third as the Clippers outscored the Warriors 33-19. The third-year guard also had seven rebounds and six assists.
“It wasn’t easy in the first half. There was one play where Steph was bobbling the ball on the way up and made it,” Mann said. “You have no choice but to adjust. The next possession is coming.”
Los Angeles shot 56.5% from the field (48 of 85) and was 15 of 34 beyond the arc in what coach Tyronn Lue said was one of his team’s better games.
Golden State has the top-ranked defense in the league, but coach Steve Kerr isn’t happy with his team’s recent stretch.