OAKLAND –- The Warriors didn't bother with their customary brief barrage of stifling, game-altering defense. They didn't need it against the New York Knicks.
Showing up and playing with purpose for three quarters was more than enough for the Warriors to bury the league's worst outfit in a fusillade of points and take a 125-94 victory before a sellout crowd (19,596) Saturday night at Oracle Arena.
The Warriors (52-13) led by 21 at the half and by 38 after three quarters -– and the margin could have been worse.
Seven Warriors scored in double figures, as coach Steve Kerr emptied his bench in the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson led all scorers with 27 points in 25 minutes while Stephen Curry had 25 points and 11 assists and 27 minutes.
Justin Holiday finished with 13 points, while Draymond Green tossed in 12 and David Lee added 10 as the Warriors pushed their home record to 29-2.
After a sluggish first quarter, after which the Warriors trailed by one (27-26), they outscored the Knicks 85-46 over the next two quarters on 70.5 percent shooting.
Andrea Bargnani scored 18 points to lead New York (13-52), which lost for the 14th time in 17 games.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
When it mattered most, Curry led the way. He took a seat after 8-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-10 from 3-point territory.
And when even the flimsiest rumor of a threat surfaced, everybody else piled on. Thompson was 9-of-17 from the floor, including 6-of-10 beyond the arc. Lee made five of six shots.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 33-28 with 11:03 left in the second quarter, the Warriors reeled off a 12-0 spurt, going up 40-33 and taking command with 8:46 left in half.
The Warriors blew open the game later in the quarter when a 19-5 run expanded a 49-43 lead with 5:24 left to 68-48 with 1:13 left in the half. They shot 78.3 percent for the quarter, with Curry and Holiday putting in 10 points apiece.
INJURY UPDATE
The Warriors prior to the game listed no injuries prior and none were reported.
ROSTER UPDATE
The Warriors on Saturday recalled C Ognjen Kuzmic from the Santa Cruz Warriors of the Development League and assigned F James Michael McAdoo, who played Friday night at Denver, back to Santa Cruz.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Warriors continue the six-game homestand Monday night, when they play host to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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