NBA Recap: Curry, Warriors end Suns 18-game winning streak, Clippers win battle of L.A.

The Golden State Warriors trounced the Phoenix Suns in the reverse fixture of their double header tie at the Chase Center on Friday.

Returning LeBron James couldn’t help the Los Angeles Lakers as they suffered a narrow loss to Los Angeles Clippers in the battle of L.A.

Here is the recap of what went down across the league on Friday

Golden State Warriors 118 – 96 Phoenix Suns

Stephen Curry bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of his career and scored 23 points, and the Warriors convincingly ended the Suns’ 18-game winning streak with a 118-96 victory on Friday night.

The Warriors (19-3) limited the Suns (19-4) to a season low for scoring and slipped past Phoenix for the best record in the NBA.

Three days after going 4 of 21 while missing 11 of 14 3-point tries in Phoenix, Curry shot 8 of 20 with six 3s, five rebounds and five assists.

Andrew Wiggins added 19 points as Golden State extended its home winning streak to 11. Draymond Green had nine points, nine assists and nine rebounds to go with six steals and three blocks.

Deandre Ayton had 23 points and six rebounds for Phoenix. Chris Paul added 12 points and eight assists.

Los Angeles Lakers 115 – 119 Los Angeles Clippers

Luke Kennard scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final minutes to ensure the Clippers secure a 119-115 win against Lakers at the Staple Center.

LeBron James who just got back after missing out due to COVID-19 related issues had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony Davis had 27 points and 10 rebounds.

Apart from Kennard who had 19, Marcus Morris Sn. had 21 points, Paul George who went 0-7 from three had 19 points as well.

Since Tyronn Lue became the Clippers’ head coach in October 2020, the Clippers have beaten the Lakers four straight times — and haven’t trailed in three of those victories.

Here are the results from the games played on Friday night

Indiana Pacers 104 – 113 Miami Heat
Kyle Lowry’s 26 PTS, 3 REB, 9 AST good enough for Heat but Caris LeVert dropped 27 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST for Pacers.

Washington Wizards 101 – 116 Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland’s 32 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST not enough for Cavs. Raul Neto was the top performer for Wizards with 13 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST.

Atlanata Hawks 96 – 98 76ers
Trae Young’s double-double not enough 25 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST as Joel Embiid 28 PTS, 12 REB, and 4 AST powered Sixers past Hawks.

Brooklyn Nets 110 – 105 Timberwolves
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 30 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST while D’Angelo Russell had 21 PTS, 3 REB, 11 AST.

Houston Rockets 118 – 116 Orlando Magic
Christian Wood scored 20 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST to help Rockets to their 5th consecutive wins Cole Anthony’s 26 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST not enough.

Dallas Mavericks 91 – 107 Pelicans
Brandon Ingram had 24 PTS, 8 REB, 12 AST to help Pelicans overcome Luka Doncic’s 21 PTS, 10 REB, 7 AST.

Utah Jazz 137 – 130 Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum 37 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST not enough as Mike Conley dropped 29 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST to help Jazz take the win.