Warriors rally to beat Clippers, 124-117, extend winning streak to 13

Before the Clippers hosted Golden State, Paul Pierce said the problem with the undefeated Warriors was their confidence.

“You feel like nobody can beat you,” the veteran forward said. “You feel like any team that takes a lead on you, you can always come back.”

Pierce’s words proved prophetic when the Warriors rallied from a 23-point deficit to beat the Clippers, 124-117, on Thursday at Staples Center, extending their season-opening winning streak to 13-0.

The Clippers looked the best they had all season in the first quarter. They shot 85.7% from the field in the opening eight minutes. Heading into the second quarter, they had outshot the Warriors, 70.8% to 44.4%, and had led by as many as 20 points.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, they couldn’t sustain that.

The Clippers’ lead was cut to 14 points at halftime, and whittled to only six points entering the fourth quarter. With less than 10 minutes left, the Warriors moved to within one point of the Clippers, 96-95, before the hosts responded with a 6-0 run that included back-to-back jams from DeAndre Jordan and Josh Smith.

The Warriors then did what the Warriors do -- they went on an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game since the opening seconds, 113-112, with 2 minutes 43 seconds left. They made eight three-pointers in the fourth quarter, including twice making back-to-back-to-back three-pointers. They outscored the Clippers, 22-5, in the final 5 minutes of the game.

Chris Paul opened the game shooting seven for seven from the field, scoring 18 points in eight minutes. When he was subbed out with less than 4 minutes left in the first quarter, he received a standing ovation as the crowd chanted “CP3, CP3.” Yeah, that’s the same Paul who missed the team’s last two games because of a strained right groin and was considered doubtful to play Thursday until nearly tipoff. Paul finished with 35 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

1/13

Clippers guard Austin Rivers tries to steal the ball from Warriors guard Ian Clark as he drives down the lane between Rivers and forward Josh Smith.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

2/13

Warriors forward Draymond Green celebrates after scoring against the Clippers in the fourth quarter.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

3/13

Warriors point guard Stephan Curry celebrates late in the fourth quarter during a 124-117 win over the Clippers this season.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

4/13

Clippers forward Blake Griffin drives down the lane against Warriors center Festus Ezeli during a Nov. 19 game at Staples Center.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

5/13

Warriors interim Coach Luke Walton waits for a referee’s call during a timeout against the Clippers.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

6/13

Clippers’ Chris Paul makes a basket while being fouled by Warriors’ Jason Thompson at the Staples Center on Thursday.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

7/13

Clippers forward Blake Griffin has the ball stripped away by Warriors forward Draymond Green during a Nov. 19 game at Staples Center.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

8/13

Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan is fouled by Warriors’ Jason Thompson at the Staples Center on Thursday.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

9/13

Clippers’ Chris Paul steals the ball from the Warriors’ Stephen Curry during the first quarter Thursday.

  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

10/13

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin reacts to a foul call during the first half against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

11/13

Clippers’ Chris Paul vies for the ball with Warriors’ Steph Curry during the game on Thursday.

  (FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images)

12/13

Clippers’ Chris Paul looks to pass under pressure from Warriors’ Stephen Curry during an NBA game on Thursday.

  (FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images)

13/13

Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Josh Smith defends during the first half on Thursday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Blake Griffin had 27 points, six rebounds and five assists, though he scored only one point in the fourth quarter. J.J. Redick sat out Thursday, missing his third consecutive game because of back spasms.

Stephen Curry, the reigning NBA most valuable player, had 40 points, making six three-pointers. He also had 11 rebounds and four assists. Klay Thompson had 25 points and Harrison Barnes finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Draymond Green contributed 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

The Clippers have lost five of their last seven games.