Golden State blows past Miami 113-92 in the second half thanks to 28 points from Thompson

Midway through the third quarter, Jonathan Kuminga grabbed an š¯”¬ffensive rebound and smacked the ball out to Stephen Curry, who made a 3-pointer from the “C” in the Heat Culture logo that was painted across midcourt.

The Golden State bench gave a thunderous applause.

Many fans also did. Nor was this in San Francisco. Miami was the location.

Miami Heat guard Delon Wright (4) looks for an opening past Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul, left, and forward Jonathan Kuminga during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

On Tuesday night, the Warriors’ recent trend of winning more games away from home than at home persisted. After making a comeback to the starting lineup, Klay Thompson scored 28 points, Kuminga added 18, and the Warriors overcame the Miami Heat, who were still lacking in players, 113-92 in the second half.

Upon seeing the postgame stat sheet, Thompson commented, “Our assist to turnover ratio was really good.” The Warriors had 30 assists and 12 total turnovers. “It’s usually a good sign of a successful evening at work.”

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) looks for an opening past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Warriors are on pace to become the second club in NBA history to finish with a winning record overall despite having a sub-.500 record at home. They are currently 19-15 on the road and 18-19 at home.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates a three-point shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Miami. Thompson scored 28 points as the Warriors beat the Heat 113-92. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated, “You walk into any arena in the league on the road and there’s automatically blue and yellow jerseys all over the place.” “Steph has a huge following across the nation, and no matter where we are, a lot of people support him.”

Golden State led by two points at the half and by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter thanks to the 17 points apiece that Curry and Andrew Wiggins scored.

Miami, who was without its top scorer Jimmy Butler due to illness, was led by Bam Adebayo’s 24 points. The Heat were also without Duncan Robinson (back) for the fourth straight game, Tyler Herro (foot) for the sixteenth straight game, and Kevin Love (heel) for the fourteenth straight game.

For the Heat, Haywood Highsmith and Terry Rozier each scored fifteen points. Nikola Jovic scored eleven, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored twelve. If Miami doesn’t score more than 103 points, it drops to 2-16.

When they are without their top scorers, it benefits, according to Thompson.

Thompson scored the most points in his game since February 15 against the Warriors, going 11 for 20 from the field and 6 for 14 on three-pointers.

Early in the fourth quarter, Miami was within 87-81; however, Golden State outscored the Heat 26-11 to win the game.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) looks for an opening past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Erik Spoelstra, the coach of the Heat, stated that “we could never get it to the moment of trš¯”²th.” “You also need to give Golden State credit.”

In the strš¯”²ggle for 10th place in the Western Conference, which is the last play-in slot, the Warriors (37-34) pulled ahead of idle Houston by a full game.

Kevon Looney, the center for the Warriors, stated, “We have a lot of work to do.”

Miami (39ā€“33) was tied with Philadelphia for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, but advanced one slot over the 76ers due to a head-to-head tiebreaker. In the competition for the sixth and final guaranteed postseason slot in the East, Miami now trails Indiana by 1 1/2 games as a result of the loss.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat guard Patty Mills (88) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)