Warriors
Stephen Curry hit eight threes, which certainly helped. But the Warriors also got something Friday that can make life a whole lot easier for a star. Their bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves, 50-7.
As Joey Akeley of Warriors On SI writes, several of the team’s less-celebrated roster decisions paid off in the 112-95 comeback win.
Georges Niang made three threes and finished plus-21 in 19 minutes. De’Anthony Melton scored 16 and added two steals, while Charles Bassey contributed six points, four rebounds and a block in just nine minutes.
Brandin Podziemski helped turn things defensively, too. During the stretch when Golden State went from down nine to ahead by 17, he drew three offensive fouls and scored 10 points.
All of that helped cover a difficult night for rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who finished with six points, five turnovers and six fouls. Akeley noted that Lendeborg now has 12 turnovers in his past two games. The Warriors still climbed to 3-3 after an 0-3 start.
Pistons
Ron Holland needed a night like this. The Pistons could use a few more of them.
Holland scored 18 points and collected four steals in 22 minutes during Friday’s 110-94 win over the Nets, with 14 of those points coming in the third quarter, as Caden Handwork of Pistons On SI details.
That was a considerable improvement for the former No. 5 pick. Entering the game, Holland was averaging more turnovers and more fouls than points.
Detroit had been winning anyway, but Friday required a different approach after falling behind 28-21 in the first quarter. Holland’s scoring helped change the game after halftime.
Cade Cunningham finished with 20 points, Duncan Robinson added 17 and Paul Reed scored 12 as the Pistons improved to 5-1. Ausar Thompson also reached double figures with 11.
Sixers
The Sixers have been searching for more bench scoring. Anfernee Simons seems to have gotten the message.
After scoring 20 points with six threes against Indiana, Simons supplied 21 points and five more threes in Friday’s 98-93 win over the Knicks, as 76ers On SI details.
VJ Edgecombe contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, along with a three in the final minute that helped Philadelphia secure its second win over New York this season.
The backup center spot has been less encouraging. Adem Bona went scoreless with two rebounds and two turnovers in 14 minutes. With Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker injured, Philadelphia’s alternatives behind Joel Embiid are limited.
The Sixers have been outscored by 29 points in Bona’s 76 minutes this season, according to the report.
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