Stephen Curry, Warriors too much for Lakers

Golden State Warriors 112- Lakers 95 (end of regulation)

All the Golden State Warriors needed was a big second quarter to put away the Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center.

All-Star guard Stephen Curry scored 11 points in the second on four-of-five shooting with four rebounds and four assists. The Warriors went into the half up 15, a lead that held up for the night.

Nick Young heated up for 20 second-half points and 25 for the game, but it wasn’t enough for the Lakers to upset the playoff-bound Warriors

Curry finished a triple-double, scoring 30 points with 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Klay Thompson and Marreese Speights added 16 apiece.

Former Lakers guard Steve Blake, playing his first game at Staples Center against his former team, contributed 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Golden State sat Andre Iguodala and Jermaine O’Neal with knee injuries. Harrison Barnes started for Iguodala.

The Lakers were short-handed without Kobe Bryant (knee), Pau Gasol (vertigo), Steve Nash (back), Xavier Henry (wrist, knee), Chris Kaman (calf) and Kent Bazemore (foot).

Both Jordan Hill and Ryan Kelly notched double-doubles. Hill scored 18 points with 12 rebounds while Kelly contributed 14 and 11.

David Lee returned from a leg injury, playing 25 minutes off the bench, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds.

The Lakers (25-54) will host the Memphis Grizzlies (47-32) in the team’s home finale Sunday. The Warriors (49-30) travel to Portland to visit the Blazers (52-28), also on Sunday.

The Boston Celtics (24-55) defeated the Charlotte Bobcats (40-39) on Friday, potentially in reach of the Lakers in the lottery standings -- presuming the Celtics get one more win over their final three games.

Warriors 83 - Lakers 69 (end of third quarter)

After falling behind by 20, the Lakers climbed back within 14 points by the end of three quarters.

Stephen Curry scored 25 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. Off the bench, Steve Blake added 11 and Marreese Speights 10.

Jordan Hill led the Lakers with 14 points. Ryan Kelly added 12 as the Lakers shot just 37.5% from the field.

The Lakers made up some ground at the free throw line, hitting 15 of 16 attempts (93.8%). Golden State only took eight attempts (making six).

Warriors 58 - Lakers 43 (halftime)

Stephen Curry scored 22 first-half points with seven assists and seven rebounds in just 17 minutes, to help the Warriors pull ahead by 15 points heading into the half.

Jordan Hill led the Lakers with 12 points on five-of-12 shooting. The Lakers made just 38.6% from the field but stayed close for a stretch, hitting six three-pointers in 15 tries.

Steve Blake also gave the Warriors eight points, but no other Golden State starter (outside of Curry) scored more than six points.

Ryan Kelly added eight points while Jordan Farmar scored six off the bench.

The Warriors shot 51.0% from the field and 41.7% from behind the arc (5-12).

Lakers 26 - Warriors 26 (end of first quarter)

Jordan Farmar hit a jumper to end the first quarter tied at 26.

Stephen Curry scored a quick 11 points in 10 minutes as the Warriors shot 42.9% from the field.

Steve Blake made his first appearance against the Lakers at Staples Center since a February trade sent him to Northern California. He received a warm ovation when he checked into the game off the bench for the Warriors.

Ryan Kelly led the Lakers with eight points as the Lakers shot 45.0% from the field.

Andre Iguodala and Jermaine O’Neal sat out on the second night of a back-to-back. Harrison Barnes started in place of Iguodala. David Lee returned from a leg injury but didn’t score, coming off the bench

Pregame

The Lakers (25-53) host the Golden State Warriors (48-30) on Friday night at Staples Center.

The Warriors are playing the second of back-to-back game after losing a close one to the Denver Nuggets (35-44) on Thursday.

Golden State is still looking to clinch a playoff spot in the extremely competitive and tight Western Conference. The Lakers are not.

Pau Gasol (vertigo), Chris Kaman (calf), Kobe Bryant (knee), Xavier Henry (knee, wrist), Steve Nash (back) and Kent Bazemore (foot) are all out.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Warriors

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Steve Blake returning to Los Angeles with Warriors

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Xavier Henry expected back by training camp from knee, wrist surgeriesEmail Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.