Blake Griffin says Clippers-Warriors isn't a rivalry: 'They're the better team'

Alec Brzezinski

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Blake Griffin says Clippers-Warriors isn't a rivalry: 'They're the better team' image

Is there anything this Warriors team can't do? They even are drawing humility from the Clippers.

Thursday seemed like the night someone was finally going to upend the defending champions. But Stephen Curry, who broke an NBA record by becoming the first player to score 30-plus points and hit five-plus 3-pointers in four straight games, poured in 40 points to lead the Warriors to a thrilling 124-117 come-from-behind road victory against the Clippers.

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The result was humbling for 6-5 Los Angeles.

Golden State (13-0) fell 16 points behind Los Angeles after the first quarter — and trailed by six heading into the fourth quarter — but answered the call late to remain undefeated. The Warriors are now just three wins away from the best start to a season in NBA history.

Chris Paul returned after missing the last two games with a groin injury to score 35 points on 13 of 22 shooting. Blake Griffin added 27 points and six rebounds.

Here's what else happened around the league Thursday:

Cavaliers get their revenge

After losing to the Bucks in double overtime last week, LeBron James and the Cavs beat Milwaukee 115-100 on Thursday. James finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love set the tone early with his physical play in the paint and long-range shooting. Love scored 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, earning his seventh double-double of the season. The days of drama surrounding James and Love seem like a distant memory.

Highlights

Despite falling to the Cavaliers, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a breakout game in what's been a great start to his third season in the NBA. He finished with 33 points and five rebounds.

In the midst of a career resurgence, Kings point guard Rajon Rondo came up one rebound shy of his fifth triple-double of the season. Rondo finished the game with 14 points, 18 assists and nine rebounds. It's his third game of 15 or more assists of the season. The rest of the NBA has only two.

Stud of the night

Heat power forward Chris Bosh tallied his fifth double-double of the season in a 116-109 win against the Kings. He scored 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting, securing 11 rebounds and dishing out four assists. Bosh has looked sharp since returning from the blood clot that derailed last season and currently leads the team averaging 18.1 points per game.

Dud of the night

Warriors starting center Andrew Bogut was nearly invisible Thursday. The 7-foot Australian scored just two points on 1 of 3 shooting, grabbed one rebound and dished out two assists. We understand Golden State's offense doesn't run through the post, but Bogut needs to provide more on both ends of the court moving forward.

What's next?

Knicks (6-6) at Thunder (7-5), 8 p.m. ET: New York fans probably wish they could take back the jeers they gave rookie Kristaps Porzingis during the draft. The 7-3 Latvian is averaging 12.8 points — including 29 in his last game — and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Bulls (8-3) at Warriors (13-0), 10:30 p.m.: Chicago has been playing well, but a trip to Golden State isn't good for any team's health. The Bulls will have to hope the Warriors expelled all their energy Thursday night against the Clippers.

Alec Brzezinski