PHOENIX-The Golden State Warriors are one victory closer to securing a playoff spot after overcoming an 18-point deficit to win on the road Friday night.
Golden State's largest comeback of the season, a 111-107 victory over Phoenix, set the Warriors up to clinch a postseason berth at home Sunday against Utah. The Warriors haven't been to playoffs since the "We Believe" run of 2007.
Clearly having left their defense back in Oakland, the Warriors were forced to outscore the Suns. Golden State had held opponents to 39.9 percent shooting its past eight games. But Phoenix shot 61.1 percent from the field.
Fortunately for the Warriors, their scorers showed up. Klay Thompson broke out of his funk to score 25 points. David Lee had 22 points and 14 rebounds. Stephen Curry had 17 points and a career-high tying 15 assists.
Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry combined for 27 points off the bench, with Jack scoring nine points in the fourth quarter.
In the end, the Warriors recorded only its second series sweep of the Suns. Golden State (44-32) is 41/2 games ahead of the No. 9 slot in the Western Conference, currently occupied by Utah. A win Sunday over the Jazz would put the Warriors up 51/2 games with five games remaining.
But before the Warriors got to the clincher, they had to beat Phoenix, which proved tougher than many might've expected. They trailed 41-23 early in the second quarter as the Suns ran circles around the Warriors defense.
The Warriors reclaimed the lead with a big third quarter, outscoring the Suns 32-14. But Phoenix, owners of the worst record in the Western Conference, wouldn't exactly go away.
The Suns rode the hot hand of Goran Dragic and Michael Beasley, who combined for 57 points on 23-of-29 shooting.
Beasley hit back-to-back jumpers, the latter cutting the Warriors' lead to 104-102 with 1:29 left.
Golden State failed to score on the ensuing possession, but followed with a timely rare stop. With less than a minute left, the Warriors ran a play to get Curry the ball. He drew the defense long enough to get Jack a look at an open 3-pointer. Jack nailed it with 31.6 seconds left, putting the Warriors up 107-102.
Two free throws by Dragic cut the lead to three with 22 seconds left. Golden State gave the ball right back to Phoenix with backcourt violation as Curry, trying to pass out of a trap, threw it away.
The Warriors intentionally fouled the Suns' Jermaine O'Neal to prevent the game-tying 3-pointer. O'Neal split the free throws and Lee secured the rebound.
Curry knocked down two free throws to seal it.
• Read more articles by MARCUS THOMPSON II
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