GOLDEN STATE: Despite being in the midst of a killer road trip – seven games over 11 days — the Golden State Warriors are riding a nine-game win streak including the last five – and six of the nine — away from home. Golden State’s success of late, spearheaded by the strong play of Stephen Curry and David Lee, has given the Warriors a share of the Pacific Division lead (Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers both are 23-13). To put the Warriors’ streak and place in the standings into proper context, consider this: The last time Golden State won at least nine straight was 1975; and the last time the Warriors led the division this late in season was March 2, 1992.
According to NBA.com/Stats, Lee is the Warriors’ leading scorer during the streak, averaging 22.7 points, to go along with 9.6 rpg. Looking only at the road victories during the streak, Lee paces the team in both categories — 24.2 ppg and 9.3 rpg. Curry is averaging a 19.0-point, 10.4-assist double-double during the streak, with comparable numbers in the road wins (20.7 ppg, 9.5 apg).
PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia has won four straight after not winning consecutive games since starting the season 3-0. To make the feat that much more impressive, the Sixers’ four-game win streak came on a just-completed six-game road trip, that culminated with a 101-99 win at Portland on Jan. 4 — only the Trail Blazers’ fourth loss at home. Thaddeus Young had a game-high 30 points, 20 of which came in the second half, while Evan Turner contributed 23 points. According to NBA.com/Stats, during the win streak, which includes victories at Sacramento, Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers, Young and Evan have averaged 25.0 and 23.0 points, respectively. Young also is contributing 3.5 spg and 8.0 rpg, while Turner is adding averages of 7.3 boards and 4.5 assists. During the streak, the Sixers are averaging 109.8 points and winning by an average of 7.5 points.
TORONTO: Although the Heat defeated Toronto 102-97 in Miami last night, Toronto’s run of success includes a 7-3 record over the Raptors’ last 10 games away from home. According to NBA.com/Stats, over their last 10 road games, the Raptors are averaging 99.2 points with Kyle Lowry (18.6 ppg) and DeMar DeRozan (18.1 ppg) responsible for 37 percent of the output.
— Via NBA Broadcasters Bulletin
