Programming note: Immediately after the final horn of the Warriors-Cavs showdown on Christmas Day, change the channel to CSN Bay Area for a special Warriors edition of SportsNet Central.
The Warriors were in a giving mood Friday night, and it nearly cost them a game.
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They committed a season-high 23 turnovers before coming together down the stretch and posting a 119-113 win over the Detroit Pistons before a sellout crowd at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Kevin Durant’s 29 points. Stephen Curry put in 25 points, Klay Thompson 17 – including a massive 3-pointer with 22.1 seconds remaining. JaVale McGee came off the bench to add 15 points.
The Warriors (27-4) gave Detroit 33 points off turnovers but still managed to win their seventh game in a row – and their 14th consecutive road game in the Eastern Conference.
Draymond Green, returning after a one-game absence for the birth of his son, totaled 5 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
Golden State Warriors
Tobias Harris came off the bench to score 26 points for Detroit, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tossed in 23. The Pistons (14-18) have lost five in a row.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Durant carried the offense, but McGee brought the much-needed jolt of energy.
Durant’s line: 32 points (13-of-18 from the field, 3-of-4 beyond the arc, 3-of-4 from the line), eight rebounds and three assists. He played 32 minutes and was plus-17.
McGee’s line: 15 points (6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from the line), three rebounds and one blocked shot. He played nine minutes and was minus-2.
TURNING POINT
The teams battled tightly throughout, with neither building a double-digit lead, until the Warriors summoned a 9-3 burst over the final 91 seconds.
The 16 lead changes were a season-high for the Warriors.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: No injuries were listed. F James Michael McAdoo was a healthy inactive.
Pistons: F Reggie Bullock (L knee surgery) was listed as out. F Michael Gbinije was a healthy inactive.
ROSTER NOTE
Warriors C Damian Jones is on assignment with Santa Cruz of the Development League.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action on Christmas Day in Cleveland, where they will face the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Pacific.