Stephen Curry backs up trash talk, helps Warriors hand Cavaliers worst loss of season

Alec Brzezinski

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Stephen Curry backs up trash talk, helps Warriors hand Cavaliers worst loss of season image

Days before Monday night's clash against the Cavaliers, Stephen Curry quietly reminded everyone the Warriors are still the defending champions.

"Obviously, walking in the locker room, it'll be good memories," he said. "Hopefully, it still smells a little bit like champagne."

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Curry's words weren't received kindly by Cleveland, but the Cavaliers did little about them Monday. Golden State came into Quicken Loans Arena and left with a 132-98 victory.

Heading into the game, the Cavaliers' worst loss this season was a 15-point defeat at Miami in December, but last season's runner-up laid an egg against the champs and are now 0-2 against them this season.

Curry led the way with 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting in just 28 minutes. Andre Iguodala also came up big with 20 points and five assists off the bench. Draymond Green, who drew the assignment of guarding LeBron James, flirted with a triple-double. He scored 16 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed seven rebounds.

It was a much-needed statement game from Golden State. The Warriors came in losers of two of their last three games and were struggling on defense. That all changed in a hurry as they jumped out to a 34-21 first-quarter lead and never looked back.

Knicks, 76ers provide thrilling opening to MLK Day

We can't stress this enough: Ish Smith has made a tremendous impact on the struggling 76ers. The 27-year-old point guard, who was traded back to Philadelphia from the Pelicans on Christmas Eve, has not only been putting up solid numbers himself, but he also has had a positive effect on young big men Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.

Despite the improved play, the 76ers still find themselves losing close games. They fought hard against the Knicks on Monday, but Carmelo Anthony (19 points, seven assists) and Arron Afflalo (25 points, seven rebounds) led New York to a 119-113 double-overtime victory.

Highlights

It doesn't take Curry long to catch fire:

Al Horford completes the alley-oop:

Chris Paul makes it look easy:

Studs of the Day/Night

Kemba Walker extended the party in Charlotte by scoring a career-high 52 points with nine rebounds and eight assists in a double-overtime, 124-119 win over the Jazz. The city was already abuzz from Sunday night's Panthers playoff win against the Seahawks, and Walker gave it another reason to celebrate with his heroic effort.

"I just tried to make the best plays possible," he said, via NBA.com. "When I had my shot, I tried to be aggressive, take them and make them."

J.J. Redick tied a franchise record with nine 3-pointers and scored a career-high 40 points in the Clippers' 140-132 overtime victory over the Rockets.

Dud of the Night

What a difference two days can make. On Saturday, Wizards point guard John Wall scored 36 points and dished out 13 assists. On Monday, he scored nine points on 4-of-17 shooting and committed three turnovers. Washington lost 108-98 to the struggling Trail Blazers. Wall has finished with multiple turnovers in all but three games this season.

What's next

Thunder (30-12) at Nuggets (16-25), 9 p.m. ET: Kevin Durant is clicking on all cylinders, which has helped Oklahoma City win 10 of its last 12 games. The Nuggets, led by Danilo Gallinari and Will Barton, have played well against the top teams this season.

Alec Brzezinski