Warriors make it 15-0, tied for best NBA start

DENVER -- Klay Thompson scored 21 points and the Golden State Warriors tied the best start in NBA history, beating the Denver Nuggets 118-105 on Sunday night to move to 15-0.

Golden State matches the start of the 1948-49 Washington Capitols and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets. The Warriors can break the record Tuesday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Here's more history: The Warriors surpassed the 1957-58 Boston Celtics for the best start by a defending champion.

Thompson hit a three-pointer with 2:08 remaining in the second quarter and Golden State never trailed again. The reserves built up a sizeable lead and allowed Stephen Curry to rest the entire fourth quarter. He had 19 points, the first time this season Curry didn't reach 20.

Darrell Arthur had 21 points for the Nuggets, who've lost three consecutive. Kenneth Faried was sidelined by a sprained left ankle.

Harrison Barnes scored seven of his 17 points in the third quarter to allow the Warriors to gain some separation.

When the Warriors played in Denver last March, they rested most of the better Warriors That didn't sit well with fans who were expecting to see the sharp-shooting guard.

Resting wasn't an option this time. Not so close to an NBA record.

"Whether or not we get it, it really doesn't affect our ultimate goal of trying to win a championship," said interim coach Luke Walton, who picked up a technical in the third quarter. "It would be something nice to get along the way."

In other NBA games Sunday night Russell Westbrook had 31 points and 11 assists, hitting two key baskets in the final 63 seconds, and Oklahoma City rallied from a double-digit third-quarter deficit to win 117-114 and snap Dallas' six-game winning streak. Serge Ibaka had 16 points, nine rebounds and a key late blocked shot for Oklahoma City, which was without star forward Kevin Durant (injured hamstring) for the sixth consecutive game. ... Anthony Davis capped a 32-point, 19-rebound performance with a tiebreaking three-pointer in the final minute to lead New Orleans past Phoenix 122-116. Davis, whose rebound total set a season high, also blocked four shots and had two steals. ... Brook Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Jarrett Jack scored 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Brooklyn earned a split of a home-and-home series with a 111-101 victory over Boston. Two nights after the Celtics won by 25 in Boston, the Nets dominated the second quarter that was pivotal in both games and held on after blowing most of a 22-point lead, their largest of the season. Joe Johnson (Little Rock Central, Arkansas Razorbacks) added 17 points for the Nets. ... DeMar DeRozan had 21 points, DeMarre Carroll scored each of his 21 points in the first half, and Toronto held Blake Griffin and Chris Paul scoreless through the first 20-plus minutes during a 91-80 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Damian Lillard had 30 points and a career-high 13 assists, and C.J. McCollum added 19 points in Portland's 107-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Mason Plumlee added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won two consecutive after a seven-game skid.

Sports on 11/23/2015

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