The Golden State Warriors spoiled the Spurs party somewhat on Friday, winning 144-113 on the floor of the San Antonio franchise which was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in front of 68,323 people at the Alamodome, a new attendance record for a NBA game.
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It wasn't the usual stars who played starring roles at the Alamodome - the home of the Spurs from 1993 to 2002 before their move to the AT&T Center - as Warriors back-ups carried their squad, Jordan Poole scoring 25 points off the bench and Donte DiVincenzo adding 22.
But that did not disturb the spectators present who pulverized the previous attendance record for an NBA regular season game (62,046 people during a confrontation between the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan and the Atlanta Hawks at the Georgia Dome March 27, 1998).
Stephen Curry had 15 points, one less than Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins (16 each), and eight Warriors players scored more than ten points for a collective and landslide victory.
An away victory that puts balm in the heart of the defending champions, quite inconstant away from their base this season.
An emotional victory for Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who played four seasons in San Antonio and won two titles with the Spurs.
“
Receiving a standing ovation from 68,000 fans gives you chills
,” said Kerr, celebrated before the game by a video released in his honor.
Opposite, the young Spurs team seemed paralyzed by the atmosphere, despite the precautions taken by coach Gregg Popovich to take the pressure off his players.
“
I told them to play and not worry about the rest
,” Popovich tried.
Without success and without resentment: "
The fans had fun, even if we got our ass kicked
", still expressed "
Pop
" in a colorful formula.
"
But it was a lovely evening
."
Another electric atmosphere at the end of the game in Indianapolis, where John Collins of Atlanta scored a decisive basket at the buzzer, to give the Hawks a 113-111 victory over the Pacers.
Sabonis shines
In Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double (19 points, 15 rebounds, 16 assists) as well as two steals and two blocks to lead the Kings to a 139-114 victory over the Houston Rockets.
New York point guard Jalen Brunson, in great form, scored 34 points -- including four free throws in the last 14 seconds -- in the Knicks' 112-108 win over the Wizards in Washington.
Julius Randle added 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, neutralizing the performance of Kyle Kuzma author of 40 points for Washington.
In addition to his 28 points, Lauri Markkanen was decisive in Utah's 112-108 victory over the Orlando Magic, blocking a three-point shot from Franz Wagner with 6 seconds left in the game.
In Detroit, it was New Orleans pivot Jonas Valanciunas with 33 points and 16 rebounds who shone and allowed the Pelicans to beat the Pistons 116-110.
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