NBA scores 2016: Steph Curry makes history, but Warriors still barely edge Pelicans

Meanwhile the Clippers look like the best team in the Western Conference.

Nov 8, 2016, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Golden State Warriors

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Curry broke a record he had already tied, knocking down his 13th three-point shot of the night with just over two minutes left in the game to put his team up 12 points. It was an incredible showing from the reigning MVP, who finished with 46 points on 16-of-26 shooting, including 13-of-17 from three, ironically just one game after missing all 10 of his attempts from behind the arc. The Golden State Warriors would go on to beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 116-106.

It’s easy to lose sight in all the commotion of a record performance and a win, but this wasn’t a good showing from the Warriors. They nearly lost to an opponent that started Anthony Davis beside E’Twaun Moore, Tim Frazier, Omer Asik, and Solomon Hill. With less than four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, this was a five-point game. Anything less than a legendary Curry outing may have given the injured, overmatched Pelicans their first win of the season.

As it has been for much of the season so far, the Warriors couldn’t get to their usual white-hot shooting ways from deep outside of Curry. The rest of his team shot 3-of-18, and though Klay Thompson finished with 24 points, he only hit 2-of-7 from three to continue his shooting slump. Outside of Curry, Thompson, and Kevin Durant (22), no Warrior scored more than eight points. Golden State also was out-rebounded by New Orleans, 43-38, and only went to the free throw line 12 times.

It’s okay that the Warriors aren’t all the way there yet, but a near-loss at home to New Orleans gives an idea of just how far they have to go.

The Clippers are pretty freakin’ good

While the Warriors were fighting off a winless Pelicans team, everyone missed the Los Angeles Clippers (6-1) and their league-best defense shut down a playoff-caliber team in the Detroit Pistons, holding them to just 32 points at the half. Detroit shot a putrid 37 percent from the field on the game, including 33 percent from three-point range. The Clippers would go on to win, 114-82.

Blake Griffin nearly notched a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, and DeAndre Jordan nearly double-doubled with eight points and 10 rebounds. Chris Paul finished with 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and J.J. Redick went off for 20 points. None of those players spent more than 28 minutes on the court.

Los Angeles is looking like a real threat so far, although it is early. The team is allowing just 90 points per 100 possessions through its first seven games, and though the Clippers lost a game to Oklahoma City Thunder, they’ve won five games by double-digits, including one over the San Antonio Spurs.

The Hornets went off

The Charlotte Hornets (5-1) tied a franchise record when they scored 75 points in the first half of their game against the Indiana Pacers en route to a 122-100 victory.

Kemba Walker has looked like an all-star so far and was no different on Monday night. He scored 10 points and dished seven assists in the first quarter and didn’t turn the ball over as he set the pace for his team to wreck an Indiana unit that’s pieces haven’t meshed yet. He finished with 24 points and 10 assists and was one of eight Hornets to reach double-figures in points.