Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry created controversy when he declared that they might face the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. However, Curry claimed that he was misquoted by the media about his pronouncement, saying his interview was taken out of context. Curry made the clarification after their comeback win over the Philadelphia 76ers, saying that he was frustrated about how his interview was picked up and blown out of proportion by the media.
In his interview, Curry was asked if he could return to Boston for the NBA Finals, the Warriors superstar replied: “it's very, very likely, right?" However, the media failed to add Curry’s full comment, where he said that “until the Celtics beat the Cavaliers, who have done it three years in a row.” “You can literally take one line of what I say and say, 'very, very likely.' But read the whole comment,” said Curry, per Jay King of MassLive.com.
The Warriors and the Cavaliers have faced off in the NBA Finals in each of the last three seasons. The Warriors have taken two of three series, while the Cavaliers won their first NBA title in 2016. Last season, the Warriors defeated the Cavaliers in five games, with the help of superstar Kevin Durant, whom they acquired in the offseason.
Warriors overcome 76ers’ fast start
The Warriors came back from a 22-point halftime deficit en route to a 124-116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday. Curry scored 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting, Kevin Durant added 27 points, Klay Thompson had 17 markers, Zaza Pachulia had 10 while veteran David West contributed 14 points off the bench as the Warriors improved to 12-4.
It was a sorry loss for the 76ers (8-7), who led by as many as 22 points in the first half, only to wilt down the stretch.
The 76ers drew double-digit scoring from their starters, with Ben Simmons leading the way with 23 points to go with 12 assists. Joel Embiid contributed 21 points, Robert Covington and JJ Redick scored 20 points each while Dario Saric tallied a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 11 off the bench for the 76ers.
76ers led by 22 at the break
Inspired by the signing of a lucrative four-year, $62-million contract extension, Covington made four triples in the first quarter as the 76ers led 47-28 after 12 minutes of play. The Sixers continued their assault in the second period as they went back to the locker room with a 22-point edge, 74-52, following a dunk by Embiid.
