Pro Sports

Warriors beat short-handed Heat 104-89 for 8th straight win

Posted January 14, 2015 10:00 pm

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates after making a 3-point basket against the Miami Heat during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Stephen Curry made seven 3-pointers and finished with 32 points, and the Golden State Warriors overwhelmed the undermanned Miami Heat 104-89 on Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory.

With a strained left hamstring sidelining Heat star Dwyane Wade, the NBA-leading Warriors (31-5) mowed down Miami the way they have most opponents recently. Golden State has won by an average of 19.8 points during its current streak.

The Warriors built a 19-point lead in the second quarter and responded every time Miami moved close.

Chris Bosh had 26 points and seven rebounds but couldn't carry the Heat alone. Luol Deng added 19 points, and Hassan Whiteside had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Miami.

Wade left with the hamstring injury in the first half of the Heat's win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. The team said he is "day to day."

Miami's victories at the Lakers and Clippers in a three-day span marked the first time since Nov. 23 the Heat had won two straight - a stunning span of 24 games for the four-time defending Eastern Conference champions, who are still adjusting to life without LeBron James.

A night later in Northern California, the Warriors wore down the depleted Heat (17-22) behind a familiar formula: smothering defense, pushing the pace in transition and finishing on the other end - often from long range.

Curry and Klay Thompson got Golden State off to a strong start behind their potent 3-point shooting, and the second unit helped stretch the lead to 19 points in the second quarter. The Warriors led 55-38 at the half.

Miami moved within single digits in the third and fourth quarters, but in routine fashion, the Warriors quickly pulled away each time behind a big burst.

Curry shot 11 for 19 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. Thompson finished with 19 points, and reserves Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa each scored nine points for Golden State.

The Warriors have won 15 straight and 17 of 18 games at home this season. The team celebrated its 100th consecutive sellout at Oracle Arena with videos thanking fans during stoppages.

TIP-INS

Heat: Whiteside and rookie guard Shabazz Napier started for the first time in their careers. Napier finished with 10 points and six assists. ... Miami is 2-2 on its five-game trip.

Warriors: Golden State is 13-0 against Eastern Conference teams this season. ... Backup center Festus Ezeli sat out for the eighth straight game with a sprained left ankle.

UP NEXT

Heat: At Sacramento on Friday night.

Warriors: At Oklahoma City on Friday night.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh, center, shoots between Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut, left, and forward Harrison Barnes during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers, foreground, is fouled by Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade sits on the bench in street clothes as the Heat play the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, left, and assistant coach Alvin Gentry watch from the bench during the first half an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa shoots in front of Miami Heat guard Norris Cole (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Golden State Warriors forward David Lee (10) shoots against Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) The Associated Press

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