The Golden State Warriors (17-16) shook off a sluggish start and secured their fourth win in five games with a 120-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets (10-20) on December 30.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game:
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Stephen Curry GSW PG 27 PTS | 5 AST | 1 STL | 37.9 FPS
Curry had a poor start, but he turned it around in the last three quarters, scoring 25 and hitting 5-of-9 threes. He has now scored at least 23 points in seven of his last eight games since coming back from an injury.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
De’Anthony Melton GSW PG 10 PTS | 8 REB | 2 STL | 29.1 FPS
Melton continued to struggle from three, but he impacted the game in many areas, including scoring 10+ points for the fourth time and recording his best rebounding game of the season.
SCORING MACHINES:
Jimmy Butler GSW SF 21 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 35.0 FPS
Butler was listed on the injury report today with a back issue, but still took the floor and delivered his signature all-around production. He also recorded his 17th 20-point game of the season, though his offense was somewhat inconsistent. He converted 11-of-12 at the line and poured in 13 points in the third quarter alone; however, he was scoreless in both the second and fourth quarters.
Michael Porter Jr. BKN SF 27 PTS | 9 REB | 3 STL | 52.3 FPS
MPJ came out strong with 17 first-half points, but he was shut down in the fourth, scoring only 2. Still, he finished with his eighth 27-point performance of the month and stayed hot from three, averaging nearly 5 three-pointers while shooting 46% in 10 games.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Draymond Green GSW PF 7 PTS | 5 REB | 3 AST | 22.5 FPS
Green provided solid value in all categories except three-point shooting. He currently ranks 44th in the league in total assists this season and just outside the top 50 in total blocks.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Nix Claxton BKN C 9 REB | 3 STL | 3 BLK | 48.8 FPS
Claxton was highly effective on offense, shooting 7-for-9 and scoring 10+ points for the 11th consecutive game. But he was a bigger factor defensively, tying his season-high in steals and posting his fourth game this month with 3 blocks. He ranks 16th this season in total blocks.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Egor Demin BKN PG 23 PTS | 7 3PM | 3 AST | 31.1 FPS
Demin posted season-high numbers in both points and threes. This performance was also his third 20-point game and seventh with at least 4 three-pointers made this season.
THE X-FACTOR:
Trayce Jackson Davis GSW C 11 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK | 27.7 FPS
TJD has been impactful in his last two games, going a combined 10-of-12 from the field and posting 10 points and five rebounds in both outings.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Noah Clowney BKN PF 11 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 23.0 FPS
Clowney contributed in multiple areas, but his offense has been lacking lately, scoring 11 or fewer in five of his last eight games.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Moses Moody GSW SG 4 PTS | 3 REB
Moody had a rough night on offense, going 1-of-8, including going 1-for-5 from deep. He’s now scored 5 or fewer in four of his last six games.
