Curry fires 53 as Warriors outgun Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS -- Stephen Curry scored 53 points, taking over the game with a 28-point third quarter, and the unbeaten Golden State Warriors defeated the winless Pelicans 134-120 in New Orleans' home opener Saturday night (Sunday Manila time).

Curry outscored the Pelicans by two points in the third period, giving the reigning NBA MVP a career-high for scoring in a quarter. It gave the Warriors a 105-91 lead.

Curry wound up shooting 17 of 27 from the field, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range, to go with nine assists and four steals. Five of his 3s were from between 27 and 31 feet.

Draymond Green scored 21 points and Klay Thompson added 19 for defending champion Golden State, which has won its first three games this season.

Anthony Davis had 26 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks for the injury-depleted Pelicans, who have lost their first three games under new coach Alvin Gentry. Two of the losses have come against Golden State, where Gentry was an assistant last season.

Davis' frustration was apparent by the game's final minutes, when he was assessed a technical foul for arguing that he was fouled on one of his shot attempts.

Jrue Holiday, who has begun the season on minute restrictions as he works his way back from a lower right leg injury, scored 22 points in nearly 27 minutes for the Pelicans while Ryan Anderson added 19 points.

New Orleans, which got off 20 more shots than Golden State (57-37) in the opening two quarters, led 65-64 at halftime after Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt's made 3 was waved off, having left his hand only moments after time expired.

Curry's outburst then gave Golden State the lead for good early in the second half. The Warriors led by as many as 16 points in the second half and were not threatened in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

Warriors: While the Warriors are renowned for their fast pace of play, they were called for a delay of game twice in the first quarter, resulting in a technical foul shot for New Orleans, which Davis missed. ... C Andrew Bogut (concussion) missed his second straight game.

Pelicans: Kendrick Perkins, who started at center, came to the bench in the first quarter with what team officials said was a pectoral strain and did not return. He was replaced by Omer Asik. Davis and Alexis Ajinca also took turns rotating in a center. ... New Orleans entered the game without guards Tyreke Evans (right knee) and Norris Cole (left ankle sprain, as well as forward Quincy Pondexter (left knee). ... Guard Toney Douglas made his season debut, a day after being re-signed. He committed a turnover the first time he touched the ball, but scored soon after and finished with 15 points.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Hosts Memphis on Monday.

Pelicans: Hosts Orlando on Tuesday.