This season, Steph Curry’s halftime routine remains a mystery. Whether he’s snacking on popcorn, energizing himself by reading internet comments, receiving motivational calls from Natalie Nakase, or engaging in meditation, yoga, letter-writing about affordable housing, or watching “Holey Moley” highlights, it’s clearly yielding results. In the third quarter of a recent game, Curry was exceptional—making 4-of-5 shots, hitting three three-pointers, and scoring 14 points as the Golden State Warriors outpaced the Miami Heat 38-23. The game was tied at halftime, but the Warriors pulled away to win convincingly, 120-100.
Curry is currently averaging nearly 12 points in the third quarter, shooting an impressive 62.2% from the field and 65% from beyond the arc, and has yet to miss a free throw in that quarter all season. In Thursday’s game, he finished with 29 points, four assists, and six three-pointers, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least five triples.
The Warriors extended their winning streak to six games after an 0-3 start to the season, defeating former teammates Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson’s Miami Heat. Wiggins managed just two points, and Thompson contributed 11 points with two blocked shots. Their combined shooting was poor, going 4-for-16, while Thompson appeared unimpressed by Curry’s antics during the game.
Miami’s pregame warm-up attire featured black shirts emblazoned with red flames, a look some might compare unfavorably to a UFC fighter’s entourage or a Hot Topic employee’s outfit—hardly flattering for seasoned players in their 30s. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a prime target of Warriors trade rumors before moving to Miami, has had a tough stretch. Despite averaging 28.3 points and 12.5 rebounds, the Heat sit at 3-6. In the loss, Giannis scored 20 points and grabbed 14 boards in the first half but was limited to just four points and four rebounds in the second half, visibly frustrated by Draymond Green’s defense.
Green contributed modestly on offense with two points but racked up 11 assists, finished plus-13, and added a steal and a block. Interestingly, his beard appeared darker, perhaps due to lighting, or maybe he’s trying out some “beard-enhancing” products. During the second quarter, Green and Curry alternated feeding rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who impressed with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block.
The Warriors dominated the boards with 44 rebounds compared to Miami’s 39, despite the presence of giants like Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo (who scored 18 points with 10 rebounds). Their bench was particularly effective on the glass, securing 24 rebounds, while Miami’s reserves pulled down only seven. Key bench contributors included Charles Bassey, De’Anthony Melton, and Al Horford, who had seven, six, and five rebounds respectively. Bassey and Horford each scored eight points, with Horford boasting a plus-21 rating and having made five three-pointers over his last two games.
Bassey’s “loud minutes,” as commentator Bob Fitzgerald called them, were impactful though mixed with some fouls and turnovers. He blocked three shots and unsettled Miami’s big men, highlighted by a play where he secured a free throw rebound while double-teamed, got fouled, and scored despite the pressure.
Once again, the Warriors started slow, falling behind by double digits caused by cold shooting. The younger players helped keep the team competitive early, with Will Richard leading through the first half with 10 points, and Lendeborg adding nine. The Warriors’ bench shot an efficient 19-for-30, compared to Miami’s 8-for-27. On the Heat’s side, Nikola Jovic’s long-term contract looks questionable, while Bobby Portis tried to spark his team by targeting Georges Niang, who stood strong and went 4-for-5 with 10 second-half points, after which Portis didn’t score again.
Miami’s roster construction shows the cost of acquiring Giannis—they rely heavily on aging players like Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr., and journeymen like Nick Richards. This lack of depth contrasts with the Warriors, who have young, capable players like Lendeborg, arguably Miami’s only bench player better than their own beyond Bam and Giannis.
The Warriors’ rumored interest in Giannis before last year’s trade deadline now seems less feasible. Without trading significant parts of their roster, they couldn’t have realistically landed him unless they filled the void with lesser players. And they’d have missed out on rising stars like Lendeborg.
The Warriors’ “Curry Flurry” ignited a defining 17-3 run fueled by tenacious defense—something the Heat once excelled at. Players like Richard, Melton, Podziemski, and Lendeborg disrupted passing lanes and contested threes, forcing tough shots late in the shot clock.
Al Horford endured a tough moment in the second quarter when Adebayo faked him out for a stepback jumper, but Horford nearly matched the Heat star’s scoring over the rest of the game, showing resilience. Davion Mitchell made a significant impact in the final quarter, scoring 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting, underscoring the benefits of his move from Sacramento.
Another solid bench performance came from Brandon Williams, who scored 10 points with four assists and two unexpected blocks. Williams continues to attack the rim effectively and has been surprisingly strong on defense. Late in the game, he showcased his playmaking with several alley-oop assists. Clearly, Williams is motivated—as he has rent to pay in San Francisco and stands to benefit significantly from NBA Cup winnings.
The Warriors face two more home games on their current stretch: first against the Orlando Magic, who will be without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, then versus the surging New Orleans Pelicans. With momentum on their side, they have a strong chance to extend their winning streak to eight before a challenging road trip takes them to the Texas Triangle.
If only the Warriors could start games stronger, imagine how dominant they might be.
Fan Take: This strong mid-season surge shows just how resilient and deep the Warriors are, blending veteran leadership with emerging young talent. For basketball fans, it signals a thrilling era ahead where team chemistry and strategic defense might outweigh star power alone, reshaping how contenders are built in the modern NBA.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
