Warriors explode for 148 points, destroy Spurs by 42 as playoff race heats up

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Veterans Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler take a step back with only 13 points each as the Golden State Warriors youth movement leads a 148-106 demolition of the San Antonio Spurs

Brandin Podziemski poured in 27 points, hitting a career-high seven 3-pointers to lead a balanced offensive attack as the visiting Golden State Warriors rolled to a 148-106 victory over the slumping San Antonio Spurs on Sunday (Monday, March 31, Manila time).

Posting their highest point total of the season, the Warriors (43-31) won their second straight game and jumped over the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves into sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Golden State is a game back of the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies and two behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the race for home court in the first round of the playoffs.

Moses Moody added 20 points for the Warriors, with Buddy Hield scoring 19, Draymond Green hitting for 14 and Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III racking up 13 points each. Golden State is 18-4 with Butler in the lineup since his trade to the Bay Area on Feb. 6.

San Antonio (31-43), playing the second of a home back-to-back after losing to Boston on Saturday, never seriously challenged Golden State while giving up a season-high point total and dropping its fourth straight outing.

The Spurs were led by reserve Keldon Johnson’s 19 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili racked up 14 points and 11 rebounds, Malaki Branham added 13 points, Devin Vassell scored 12 and Julian Champagnie had 11.

The Warriors forged an 18-point lead on a pair of free throws by Butler at the 1:57 mark of the first quarter before settling for a 44-27 advantage after 12 minutes of play.

Golden State kept its collective foot on the accelerator, pushing the margin to 29 on Curry’s 3-pointer with 2:58 remaining before halftime. A late surge by San Antonio capped by seven straight points from Johnson allowed the Spurs to pull to within 68-44 at the break.

Johnson’s 14 points before halftime led all scorers. Curry hit for 11 to pace the Warriors while Butler added 10 in the first half.

The Warriors put their final stamp on the game by outscoring San Antonio by 14 points in the third quarter, leading by 39 after a trey from Podziemski with 52 seconds left in the period. – Rappler.com