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Warriors 123, 76ers 80

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
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OAKLAND, Calif. — Backup center Marreese Speights exploded for 17 of his career-best 32 points in the second quarter, and the Golden State Warriors eventually built a 49-point cushion en route to a 123-80 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

In recording their largest margin of the victory of the season, the Warriors (31-21) outscored the 76ers 37-12 in the second period, with Speights singlehandedly accumulating more points than the visitors.

The 76ers (15-38) fell behind by 33 points in the first half Monday after trailing by 31 points in the first quarter Sunday during a 123-78 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Philadelphia trailed just 29-21 through one period against the Warriors and was down just 33-27 in the third minute of the second quarter before the roof caved in.

Speights, who entered the game with a 5.6-point scoring average, poured in 13 in a 14-0 Warriors flurry that produced a 20-point lead.

The Warriors extended the lead to 66-33 by halftime and 96-48 late in the third quarter before coasting home for their second consecutive home win.

The victory allowed Golden State to snap a six-game stretch of alternating home wins and losses.

The loss was the seventh in succession for the 76ers, who complete a four-day, three-game Western swing Wednesday in Utah against the Jazz.

Taking advantage of additional playing time created by injuries to the Warriors’ top two centers — Andrew Bogut (left-shoulder inflammation) and Jermaine O’Neal (sore right wrist) — Speights doubled his previous season high of 16 points and surpassed by four his previous career high. He hit 12 of his 15 shots, including his first seven.

Speights also found time for eight rebounds and a season-best three blocked shots.

All-Star point guard Stephen Curry sank six 3-pointers to account for a majority of his 23 points to back Speights for the Warriors. Starting center David Lee (13 points, 13 rebounds) and power forward Draymond Green (11 points, 11 rebounds) added double-doubles.

In all, six Warriors scored in double figures as the team shot 48.9 percent from the field and made 12 of its 29 3-point attempts.

The 76ers, meanwhile, connected on only two of their 17 3-point attempts and shot just 36.7 percent overall. They also were outrebounded 60-38.

Rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams led the 76ers with 24 points, getting 11 in the fourth quarter. Starting forwards Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young chipped in 12 points apiece.

NOTES: The game matched the team with the second-most 3-pointers made this season (the Warriors with 473) against the team with the most allowed (the 76ers with 494). … Philadelphia PG Michael Carter-Williams, already a two-time Rookie of the Month in the Eastern Conference, is attempting to become the first player drafted outside the Top 10 (he was the No. 11 choice) to earn NBA Rookie of the Year honors since Warriors coach Mark Jackson won the award for the New York Knicks as the 18th pick in 1987. … The cause of C Andrew Bogut’s injury — the Warriors label it left shoulder inflammation — remains a mystery. Jackson would not rule out a possible Bogut return for Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. … Warriors SG Klay Thompson played in his 200th consecutive game, just the 10th player in franchise history to reach that mark.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

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