Bench players explode! Curry scores 27 points, sets new all-time scoring record; Warriors use 13 players with 12 scoring to crush the Nets

On December 30th, NBA regular season, the Nets hosted the Warriors. Coach Kerr fulfilled his promise by extensively playing the bench, yielding clear results. The Warriors featured 13 players in total, with 12 contributing points. Curry also hit a milestone, scoring 27 points and overtaking Garnett to rank 21st in NBA history. The Nets' bench showed a disappointing performance. After four quarters of intense battle, the Warriors defeated the Nets 120-107.

Statistics:

Warriors: Curry 27 points, 5 assists; Butler 21 points; Davis 11 points, 6 rebounds; Melton 10 points, 8 rebounds; Payton 10 points; Richards 10 points

Nets: Porter 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals; Claxton 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks; Klawney 11 points; Jemine 23 points; Thomas 13 points

Game progression:

At the start of the first quarter, Porter hit a three-pointer, quickly answered by Post with his own three. The teams exchanged baskets, but the Nets surged ahead with a 12-0 run, extending the lead to double digits. Payton ended the drought with a layup. The Nets continued their momentum with a 10-3 run, pushing the lead to 15 points. In the latter part of the quarter, the Warriors rallied with a 15-2 run, cutting the deficit to just 2 points. The quarter ended with the Nets leading 30-28.

In the second quarter, Hield scored on a layup, leveling the score. Both teams battled tightly, with the Warriors' bench shining as 10 different players scored. The lead changed hands multiple times, and the quarter was tied at 55. Near the end, the Warriors scored 4 straight points to try to pull away, but Powell was fouled and made both free throws. Butler’s last attempt missed. Halftime ended with the Warriors leading 59-57.

In the third quarter, Butler scored on a layup, but the Nets responded with a 5-2 run, tying the game at 62. The Nets then went on a 7-2 run, immediately answered by the Warriors with their own 7-2 burst, bringing the score to 71-71. The teams remained closely matched with the margin hard to extend. Late in the quarter, the Warriors went on a 7-2 run to take the lead. The third quarter finished with the Warriors ahead 89-85.

In the final quarter, the Warriors started strong with an 8-3 run to take the lead, and Curry surpassed Garnett to move up to 21st on the all-time scoring list. The Nets countered with a 7-1 run to narrow the gap quickly, but the Warriors responded with a 9-0 run to build a 12-point lead. Later, the Nets cut the lead to 4 points, but Curry made a crucial and-one basket to stabilize the game. Green made two free throws, Melton made a critical block and scored on a putback, and the Warriors sealed the game with a decisive run. The game ended with the Warriors beating the Nets 120-107.

Starting lineups:

Warriors: Butler, Green, Post, Moody, Curry

Nets: Porter, Klawney, Claxton, Mann, Jemine