OAKLAND -- The Warriors never quite shifted their high-powered offense into overdrive, so they leaned on their defense to knock off the reeling Miami Heat 107-95 Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.
With Klay Thompson given the night off, the Warriors turned to All-Stars Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry to provide most of the offense, and they combined for 52 points. Durant put in 28 points, Curry 24.
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Draymond Green tossed in 13 points and Ian Clark came off the bench to add 10.
The Warriors (33-6) spent much of the first half trailing before cranking up the defense in the third quarter, holding Miami to 14 points on 25-percent (5-of-20) shooting.
Rookie Pat McCaw started at shooting guard in place of Thompson and finished with 3 points on 1-of-3 shooting in 18 minutes.
Center Hassan Whiteside finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds to lead Miami (11-29), which lost for the ninth time in 10 games.
Golden State Warriors
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Though he didn’t shoot particularly well, Curry did plenty to making an impact.
Curry’s line: 24 points (8-of-21 from the field, 4-of-11 from deep, 4-of-5 from the line), nine assists, eight rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot. He played 36 minutes and was plus-18.
TURNING POINT
Though the Warriors twice took significant leads in the third quarter, it wasn’t until the fourth that they took control.
When the Heat got within three, 85-82, with 6:36 remaining, the Warriors responded with an 11-4 burst to go up 96-86 on a Curry 3-point bomb with 3:13 to play.
Miami got no closer than seven in the final three minutes.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: G Klay Thompson (rest) was ruled out late Tuesday morning. C Damian Jones is on assignment with Santa Cruz of the Development League.
Heat: F Udonis Haslem (respiratory illness) was questionable. G Josh Richardson (L foot sprain) was listed as doubtful and ruled out prior to tipoff. F Justise Winslow (R shoulder surgery) is not with the team.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Thursday night, when they face the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.