On Monday, the Golden State Warriors made history by becoming the fastest NBA team to get to 50 wins in a season. With a 50-5 record, the Warriors are ahead of the pace set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls, who set the record for most wins in a season with 72 wins. At the rate they are going, the Warriors will be favored to win the NBA title at any online sportsbook.
Even though they have a chance to break the regular season wins record set by the Bulls, the Warriors have their eyes on more than just the regular season wins record.
In their 102-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Steph Curry led the way with 36 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Klay Thompson added 27 points, and Harrison Barnes chipped in 14 points to help the Warriors withstand a comeback by the Hawks who overcame a 23 point deficit in the second half but couldn’t finish the comeback against the hot-shooting Warriors.
The Warriors got to the 50 win mark in one less game than the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls, the team they are currently chasing. After the game, Steph Curry told reporters that while it was great to get to 50 wins faster than any other team, the Warriors have to remain hungry the rest of the way if they want to claim their ultimate prize, which is another NBA championship.
In the first half of the game, the Warriors dominated the Hawks and looked like they were on their way to another blowout. In the third quarter, the Hawks outscored the Warriors 36-18, and the team was able to briefly take the lead in the fourth quarter before Curry took over the game and knocked down some big shots to lead his team to victory.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he was pleased with the way his team responded after the Hawks fought their way back into the game.
“They were on fire in their home building. Everything was going against us, and we maintained our poise and pulled away down the stretch. It was a really good win.” Kerr said.
Draymond Green, the league’s leader in triple doubles and the Warrior’s third All-Star, did not do much offensively but made up for it with his passing and defense. Green finished the game with 6 points; 14 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot.
After getting blown out in the first half the Hawks could easily have folded, but the team fought their way back into the game in the second half.
Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer wasn’t very happy with his team’s overall performance, but he liked the way they played in the second half and hoped it is something the team can build on.
Al Horford led the way for the Hawks with 23 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks. Jeff Teague, who had trouble slowing down Steph Curry, finished the game with 16 points and 6 assists.
Golden State finished the game with 30 assists. It was the 29th time this season that the team finished a game with 30 assists or more, breaking the franchise record that the team set last season.
When asked about the selfless play of his teammates, Curry said, “It’s a special group.”