NBA scores 2016: Steph Curry and the Warriors came back to life

The Golden State Warriors did what we so routinely took for granted last season: end their game against the Portland Trail Blazers before the fourth quarter even started. Stephen Curry went into flamethrower mode in the third, scoring 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including five triples. The entire Trail Blazers team scored just 20 points in the same frame and the Dubs took a commanding 100-73 lead.

All of the Warriors’ issues weren’t settled in this one, but at least this game on the road in Portland showed growth. Klay Thompson still wasn’t quite right, missing all seven of his attempts from deep, Draymond Green only took three shot attempts but Kevin Durant had a solid 20-point showing, and Ian Clark was huge off the bench for 22 of his own. The Warriors cruised, 127-104.

The 76ers still haven’t won a game in October or November since 2013

The Sixers had an 18-point advantage over the Orlando Magic in the third quarter, but coughed up their 40th consecutive game before December to lose, 103-101.

In the final minute, Joe Embiid was anything but clutch, turning the ball over twice on back-to-back possessions. He was solid before that, though, posting his first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Still in a tie game with mere seconds remaining, a loose ball ricocheted into the hands of Serge Ibaka under the rim and in desperation, T.J. McConnell hacked him around his neck and was called for a flagrant foul.

The game ended with Ibaka on the stripe.

Point guard James Harden is your new league leader in assists

The Houston Rockets lost a close one to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 128-120, as Kyrie Irving got hot, but James Harden may have been the best player on the floor. He set a franchise record posting 41 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds — the first Rockets player to post a 40-15-5 game ever.

He’s adjusted well to his true point guard role. He leads the league with 11.8 assists per game, slightly edging out Russell Westbrook, to go along with 32.3 points and 7.3 rebounds through the first four games of the season. It’s early, but after rocky year he looks to be back to his MVP-caliber form.

DeMarcus Cousins fouled out with all six calls coming in the fourth quarter

DeMarcus Cousins impressively picked up all six of his fouls in the final quarter of play in a close 108-96 overtime loss to the Miami Heat. Maybe even more impressively, he managed not to pick up a technical in the same span.

Cousins is known to typically be in foul trouble, as he averages four per game in his career, but this was something new. Three of the calls were offensive, and the last one was not only decisive, but questionable. Here’s how he reacted:

Cousins finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Play of the night

Fun thing you missed

The Sixers actually introduced their new star as Joel “the Process” Embiid

Joakim Noah air-balled so, so terribly

Metta World Peace just really loves basketball:

Final scores

Cavaliers 128, Rockets 120 (Fear the Sword recap | The Dream Shake recap)

Heat 108, Kings 96 (OT) (Hot Hot Hoops recap | Sactown Royalty recap)

Magic 103, Sixers 101 (Orlando Pinstriped Post recap | Liberty Ballers recap)

Pacers 115, Lakers 108 (Indy Cornrows recap | Silver Screen and Roll recap)

Pistons 102, Knicks 89 (Detroit Bad Boys recap | Posting and Toasting recap)

Bucks 117, Pelicans 113 (Brew Hoop recap | The Bird Writes recap)

Timberwolves 116, Grizzlies 80 (Canis Hoopus recap | Grizzly Bear Blues recap)

Jazz 106, Spurs 91 (SLC Dunk recap | Pounding the Rock recap)

Warriors 127, Trail Blazers 104 (Golden State of Mind recap | Blazers Edge recap)