Warriors topple Bucks, gain top seed in West

MILWAUKEE – The Golden State Warriors achieved two impressive milestones with another double-digit win on the road.

Now it’s a matter of staying healthy and feeling good going into the postseason for the team with the best record in the NBA.

Stephen Curry scored 25 points, and the Warriors clinched the top seed in the Western Conference by pulling away in the second half of a 108-95 victory on Saturday night over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Klay Thompson added 21 for Golden State, which also set a franchise record with its 60th victory of the season. The Warriors hold a 10-game lead over second-place Memphis in the West with nine games left in the regular season.

“Wins and losses might not matter when it comes to the standings but we want to win as many games as possible and we want to feel good about how we’re going into the playoffs,” Curry said. “That’s the test for us over these next nine games.”

Khris Middleton had 14 points for Milwaukee, which fell back under .500 at 36-37 after winning two straight.

In other results, Charlotte stunned Atlanta, 115-110; Chicago routed New York, 111-80; Utah thumped Oklahoma, 94-89; and Portland outlasted Denver, 120-114.

Back in Milwaukee, the young Bucks forced 22 turnovers. But they don’t have sweet-shooting difference-makers like Thompson and Curry in the backcourt.

“You can see how they have a feel for one another. They both can shoot the ball extremely well. One is in foul trouble and the other one picks it up,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “You always have to be concerned with those two on the floor.”

The smooth Thompson scored 17 in the third quarter to help the Warriors pull away after the Bucks got within 57-50 on Middleton’s jumper with 8:25 left in the period.