Jimmy Butler III and Gary Payton II recorded double-doubles in the absence of All-Star Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski ignited a late lead-taking run and the Golden State Warriors outlasted the New Orleans Pelicans for a 104-96 triumph Saturday night in San Francisco.
Having lost two of three to start a five-game homestand and facing the prospect of going without the injured Curry, the Warriors used a late 12-point flurry to overcame 12-for-47 shooting (25.5%) on 3-pointers.
After Saddiq Bey’s two free throws gave the visitors one last lead at 88-87 with 4:02 to play, Podziemski put Golden State on top for good on a 3-pointer with 3:50 to go.
The Warriors then held the Pelicans without a point until only 46 seconds remained, and in the meantime extended their lead on a dunk and layup by Payton — both assisted by Butler — a Butler interior hoop and a Payton 3-pointer off a Podziemski assist to open a 99-88 margin with 57 seconds left.
Butler finished with a team-high 24 points and game-high 10 assists to go with eight rebounds for the Warriors, who won despite getting outscored 25-16 at the free-throw line. Butler had 10 of Golden State free-throw points in 14 attempts.
Payton, who hadn’t recorded double figures in points, rebounds or assists in the Warriors’ first 20 games, went for 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Jonathan Kuminga, returning from a seven-game absence, chipped in with 10 points, while Podziemski had 15 and Moses Moody 11 for the Warriors, who managed a 42-38 halftime lead despite misfiring on 20 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc in the first 24 minutes.
Zion Williamson had a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds for the Pelicans, who built as much as a 10-point advantage in the first half despite making just one of their 11 3-point attempts. New Orleans finished 7-for-30 from deep (23.3%) en re route to the 11th loss in its last 12 games.
Yves Missi grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to complement nine points for the Pelicans, while Bey totaled 21 points and Jeremiah Fears 16.
