OAKLAND – Despite coming off a four-day layoff, and looking the part, the Warriors had more than enough to put away the Utah Jazz.
With ferocious defense and four players scoring in double figures, the Warriors rolled to a 103-85 victory over Wednesday night before the usual sellout crowd (19,596) at Oracle Arena.
With big men Draymond Green, Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli leading the charge, the Warriors held Utah to 26.1-percent first-quarter shooting and 41.3 percent overall – the lowest for an opponent since they held the Hornets to 37.2 percent on Dec. 2 in Charlotte.
Klay Thompson led all scorers with 20 points, while Stephen Curry tossed in 16, Green totaled 15 and Bogut added 10.
The Warriors (27-1) also forced 20 Jazz turnovers – off which they scored 26 points – in pushing their home record to 13-0 and extending their home win streak to 31, the longest in franchise history.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Green wins the honor based partly on numbers by mostly on energy and impact – especially on the defensive end.
Green’s line: 15 points (7-of-15 shooting), nine rebounds, six assists, two blocked shots and one steal. He finished with a plus-23 Plus/Minus.
The Bogut-Ezeli pair at center turned in yet another solid game, as the two big men combined for 16 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and five assists.
TURNING POINT:
When the Jazz cut the deficit to six, 50-44, with 9:06 left in the third quarter, the Warriors responded with a 15-5 rally, taking a 65-49 lead with 2:40 left in the quarter.
The Warriors held Utah to 2-for-8 shooting, with six turnovers, during the run.
Utah got no closer than 10 after that.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: C Andrew Bogut (back sprain), listed as probable, was announced as a starter. F Harrison Barnes (L ankle sprain) and F Kevon Looney (R hip surgery rehab) were listed as out and placed on the inactive list.
Jazz: C Rudy Gobert (L MCL sprain) and G Dante Exum (L ACL rehab) were listed as out and placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT:
The Warriors return to action Christmas Day, when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
