Los Angeles, United States—Stephen Curry scored 26 points and Draymond Green bagged a triple double as the Golden State Warriors bounced back from successive thrashings to down the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
The reigning Western Conference champions, routed 120-92 by Oklahoma City on Sunday, rediscovered their scoring touch to claim a 134-123 win at the Smoothie King Center.
After toothless displays against Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors rediscovered their offense in a high-scoring first half.
A 45-point second quarter saw them surge into a 72-55 lead at half-time, giving them a comfortable 17-point cushion.
Another big third quarter extended their lead to 24 points heading into the final period, and although the Pelicans closed the gap, the result was never seriously in question.
All five starters finished in double-digits for the Warriors, with Curry leading the scorers and contributing 11 assists.
Green’s triple-double included 16 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, while new recruit D’Angelo Russell finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Damion Lee added 23 points from the bench.
Meanwhile, in Houston, James Harden exploded for 40 points as the Rockets outgunned Oklahoma City 116-112.
Harden added three rebounds and seven assists while point guard Russell Westbrook narrowly missed out on a triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
The Philadelphia 76ers remain the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference after claiming their third win of the season on the road against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
Fit-again Cameroon international Joel Embiid starred for the Sixers, leading with 36 points including two game-winning free throws with 5.3 seconds on the clock to seal a 105-103 win.