LOS ANGELES (AFP) – The NBA champion Golden State Warriors produced a dynamic offensive display Friday in a 133-112 wire-to-wire NBA victory over the Orlando Magic in Florida.
The banged-up Warriors, with Stephen Curry still nursing a painful bruised finger, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson battling troublesome ankles and David West suffering from a sore left knee, nevertheless proved more than a match for the Magic.
Coming off a lethargic-looking overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, the Warriors answered the call of coach Steve Kerr to play with energy and purpose.
The result was a 78-63 point Warriors lead at halftime — Golden State’s highest-scoring half this season.
Their 46 assists were the most in the NBA this season and one shy of the franchise record.
‘‘This is a good step in the right direction,’’ Kerr said.
Thompson led the way with 27 points. Durant connected on 10 of his 14 shots en route to 25 points before he was ejected for swearing at a referee over a foul call on his final basket.
Durant was clearly miffed at being tossed.
‘‘The refs run the game, so if they’re not feeling good today, they can just make any decision they want,’’ Durant said.
‘‘So I’ve got to know that they’ve got all the power and I’ve got to just shut up and take it.’’
Curry, again playing with his right ring finger bandaged, had 23 points and 10 assists as the Warriors seized control early and thwarted every Magic effort to rally.
Spurs pummel Grizzlies
The San Antonio Spurs, chasing the Houston Rockets and the Warriors in the Western Conference, handed the Memphis Grizzlies their 10th straight defeat on Friday, 95-79.
The Grizzlies’ skid is the longest in the NBA this season.