SAN FRANCISCO — Going into the game Friday night against the Raptors, the Warriors are up 2-8 in the ten games when opponents score 35 or more points in the first quarter.
They are now 3-8 after letting Toronto down by 41 and still finding a way to win.
The Warriors’ 129-117 win before a booby-trapping crowd at Chase Center was about doing enough at the right times, clever ball movement – and getting a great performance from Stephen Curry.
Curry scored a game-high 35 points and 11 assists, Klay Thompson had 29 and Donte DiVincenzo had 12 points and 11 assists.
Here are three notes from the victory that lifted the Warriors (25-24) above .500 for the eighth time this season:
Kuminga burns birds of prey from the depths
One day after he sat in the interview room claiming that, among other things, he could pick up three points, Kuminga came out and proved it.
With the Raptors playing him, practically daring him to shoot from long range, Kuminga made four — two from the right corner, one from the left corner and one from near the top of the arc.
His fourth triple came from the left corner with 2.6 seconds left in the third quarter. He pretty much finished off the quarter and had his third straight over two minutes that really got the crowd on their feet.
As impressive as accuracy has been for someone shooting 28.8 percent depth this season, Cumminga’s sense of timing has been impeccable. Pull when it was the smart move, and override it when that move was right.
Kuminga finished with 15 points on 5-of-7, including 4-of-6 from deep. His shooting is clearly improving, and the Warriors are at least happy to see his sense of the game and the moment have come such a long way.
Excellent job Donte
DiVincenzo was the first player to come off the bench for the Warriors and needed just eight seconds to make an impact.
3 pointers, strainer. A layup followed 2 minutes later, and a steal 14 seconds later, which led to a transitional layup for Curry.
The immediate impact will be your description.
DiVincenzo’s biggest shot may have been his three-pointer from the left corner to give the Warriors an 11-point lead (125-114) with 1:43 remaining, putting the game out of reach for Toronto.
DiVincenzo’s 12 points came on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-5 from outside the arc. He added a season-high 11 assists — with one turnover — two rebounds and two steals to finish +24 in 33 minutes.
In his spare time, DiVincenzo made sure to tease anyone who wore a Raptors jersey.
This is the kind of performance that cements DiVincenzo’s place in the team selection standings. He is reliable on defense and offense and excels at playing the way the Warriors want to play.
After all, there was a reason why he was in the final lineup.
Not one look at Weizmann
When Kevon Looney committed three fouls before the game was eight minutes old, he went to the bench and was replaced by JaMychal Green.
When Looney was whistled for his fourth foul with 3:05 left in the first half, he was immediately taken out. And replaced, again, with Green.
All while James Wiseman sat on the Golden State bench wearing sweats and looking as if he was eager to get a chance.
Toronto’s group of multi-athletes, many of whom enjoy rising over the edge, seems to make an available opportunity for the Warriors’ biggest and most athletic man. If only it was on trial. a few minutes. No.
Related: Why Kerr “feels bad” for Weizmann amid a turbulent NBA career
Wiseman last played on December 28. He was injured (left ankle sprain) most of that time, but is healthy and available. The rationale for multiple trips to the G League was to “get rep”. The NBA hotel beds are nicer, but there are no actors when watching from the bench.