Thompson shines in Warriors Xmas win over Jazz

OAKLAND, California – Klay Thompson scored 20 points, Stephen Curry added 16 with nine assists and the Golden State Warriors remained unbeaten at home this season with a 103-85 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Andrew Bogut added 10 points and 13 rebounds while Draymond Green had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Warriors (27-1) in their final tuneup before an NBA Finals rematch against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas.

Golden State led by 10 with less than 6 minutes remaining before Curry’s second 3-pointer of the game sparked a 14-5 run to help the Warriors seal the victory. It was their 13th in a row at home this season and the 31st consecutive win at Oracle Arena dating to last season – an ongoing franchise record.

Derrick Favors had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost five of seven.

Kevin Love had 23 points and 13 rebounds and forward LeBron James added 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 91-84 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

The Knicks were playing without Carmelo Anthony and still nearly pulled off the upset thanks to 23 points and 13 rebounds from rookie Kristaps Porzingis.

The Knicks rallied from 11 points down to take their first lead on a tip-in from forward Lou Amundson with 11 minutes to play, but they were well held near the close with Porzingis shut out in the fourth quarter.

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving played 20 minutes in his second game back from a fractured kneecap, but was clearly still rusty, with five points and four assists on 1-of-7 shooting from the field.

The Knicks limited the Cavs to 39 percent shooting from the floor and had a chance to win until the final minute.

In other results, Boston clobbered Charlotte, 102-89; Sacramento nipped Indiana, 108-106; Orlando held off Houston, 104-101; Washington crushed Memphis, 100-91; Dallas edged Brooklyn, 119-118; Milwaukee routed Philadelphia, 113-100; San Antonio blasted Minnesota, 108-83; and New Orleans smothered Portland, 115-89.

Back in Cleveland, the Cavs guard Iman Shumpert’s defense forced the Knicks into a timeout after guard Arron Afflalo was trapped in the corner with the score tied at 82.