Golden stake put through Clippers’ upset hopes

The Golden State Warriors might just get through an entire NBA season without losing.

It seems like an outrageous concept, but it can’t be much crazier than the way they continually wiped out huge deficits against the Clippers on Thursday night to remain unbeaten.

The Warriors trailed by 23 points in the first half. They were down by 10 points with less than five minutes left in the game. It didn’t matter.

Not even a seven-turnover showing by Golden State’s Stephen Curry or an inspired effort by Clippers point guard Chris Paul in his surprise return from a strained right groin could stop the Warriors during their 124-117 victory at Staples Center.

The Warriors emerged with a 13-0 record after an incredible display of shot-making, with Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson and Curry combining to make four three-pointers in the final five minutes. If Golden State wins its next two games it will tie the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Capitols for the best start to an NBA season.

Curry finished with 40 points on 11-for-22 shooting to go with the seven turnovers, but he was free to disregard the latter statistic after the Warriors rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter for a second time this season against the Clippers (6-5).

“We know we’re close, but close isn’t good enough,� Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “We have to finish the games.�

Paul had 35 points and eight assists after sitting out the previous two games and three of the last five games with his groin injury, numbers that won’t provide any solace after his team was outscored 22-5 to end the game.

“I have to control the game down the stretch,� said Paul, who made 13 of 22 shots. “Up 10 with six minutes left, we have to find a way to win that game and that’s on me.�

Clippers forward Blake Griffin was strong across the board with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists, but he missed his last four shots and committed two turnovers in the final 3:33.

Thompson had 25 points and Barnes 21 for the Warriors, who outscored the Clippers, 39-26, while making eight of nine three-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Defensive breakdowns were only part of the issue for the Clippers, who allowed the Warriors to make 17 of 30 three-pointers.

“I actually thought it was more of our offense in the second half than it was our defense,� Rivers said, “because I thought empty possession after empty possession after empty possession gave them better rhythm offensively.�

The Clippers had listed Paul as doubtful all the way up until about two hours before the game after limiting his participation in practice the previous few days. But Rivers figured something special might be on the horizon after watching him move on the court Wednesday.

“He looked normal,� Rivers said. “He looked great.�

Paul was nothing short of sensational in the first quarter while collecting four assists and making all seven of his shots, including one that dropped through the rim on the third bounce. He had outscored the Warriors, 18-16, when he checked out of the game to “CP3!� chants with 3:53 left in the quarter and the Clippers holding a 30-16 lead.

The good vibes were only temporary.

Lance Stephenson received the first DNP-coach’s decision of his Clippers career even though Paul Pierce, the player who took his spot in the starting lineup, picked up four fouls in the first half. The Clippers were also missing shooting guard J.J. Redick for a third consecutive game because of back spasms.

Rivers said he would possibly deepen his rotation on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

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the latter statistic after the Warriors rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter for a second time this season against the Clippers (6-5).