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The Golden State Warriors finally started looking like defending NBA champions on Saturday night.

Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 66 points and the Warriors locked in on defense for a 123-107 win over the Boston Celtics.

"Especially the way they've played this year, they've just been so good, so dominant. I thought we needed a game like that," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "We've been a bit stuck in the mud. It feels like we've gotten better, but not a whole lot to show for it. This was an important win for us."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4h-Wa6Y_Ms

The Celtics are off to a blistering 21-6 start and look like favorites to repeat as Eastern Conference champions.

Meanwhile, it's been a slog both on and off the court for the Warriors. Their title defense began with Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole in the face during a preseason practice, and a malaise has followed Golden State to a 14-13 start. Thompson is playing the worst basketball of his career as he continues his journey back from a pair of devastating leg injuries, and Poole has been disappointing since signing a four-year, $128 million extension.

Golden State has just a 2-11 record in away games this season, which is typically a pretty good barometer of a team's togetherness.

Kerr and Curry said they're hopeful Saturday's win over the Celtics will help spark a turnaround.

"It just gives you the recipe on the intensity and focus you have to have to beat a team like that," Curry said. "Knowing how hard it is to win on the road, we haven't done it well at all this season. ... We want to feel good about ourselves getting on the plane ... and figure out how to really take advantage of the opportunity in front of us."

Carmelo Anthony could fill a hole for the New York Knicks at power forward, but the free agent doesn't appear to be a good fit for the roster.

"Based on one Knicks source, the indications are that Anthony would not fit the style the Knicks are trying to play — namely defense," Steve Popper of Newsday reported.

Anthony has yet to appear in the NBA this season after playing 69 games with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021-22. He averaged 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last year, shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range.

The 38-year-old could be an impact player as a 10-time All-Star with a 22.5 points per game career average. He spent parts of seven seasons with the Knicks, winning a scoring title in 2012-13 while helping the squad reach the second round of the playoffs that year.

Team president Leon Rose was also Anthony's longtime agent, providing plenty of familiarity for a reunion.

With Obi Toppin out for the next few weeks due to a knee injury, the signing would seemingly be a quality fit for the 13-31 squad to stay competitive.

However, it's clear head coach Tom Thibodeau wants to prioritize defense, which has never been one of Anthony's strengths. The forward's defensive box plus/minus has been negative in every single season of his 19-year NBA career, per Basketball Reference.

The Knicks currently rank 14th in the league in defensive rating and can't afford to drop much lower if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

It could force New York to look elsewhere to find a short-term replacement for Toppin.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum isn't taking too much away from Saturday's loss to the Golden State Warriors.

"Tonight was probably more meaningful to you guys than it was to us," Tatum told reporters after the game.

Boston had a chance to avenge last year's loss in the NBA finals, but it was the Warriors that came out on top with a 123-107 victory. Though some saw it as a statement victory for Golden State, Tatum doesn't want to overrate the regular-season battle.

"It's one game," the forward said. "We want to win every game we play but it's tough. You never want to lose. We've been playing well and to lose this one, — especially the way we played is tough — but it's not going to dictate our season. We've had a great season so far and we lost the game. It's all about how we respond."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4h-Wa6Y_Ms

Even after the loss, the Celtics still have the best record in the NBA at 21-6. Tatum has emerged as an early MVP candidate while averaging 30 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

The squad clearly won't let the high-profile loss distract from the quality start to the year.

On the other hand, Golden State will hope the big win will get the team on track after improving to 14-13 on the season.

The Splash Bros. cooked all night en route to leading the Golden State Warriors to a 123-107 home win over the Boston Celtics in an NBA Finals rematch on Saturday.

💦 SPLASH BROS 💦

Steph & Klay each dropped 30+ points to lead the @warriors to the win in a rematch of last szn's NBA Finals! #DubNation@StephenCurry30: 32 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST, 6 3PM@KlayThompson: 34 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/MJKys1yM53

— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2022

Klay Thompson dropped 24 first-half points and finished with a game-high 34, and Stephen Curry added 32. They combined to score 66 points on 26-of-47 shooting while knocking down 10 three-pointers. Curry added seven assists and six rebounds and finished plus-20 on the evening.

The Celtics simply couldn't keep up with the duo in part because of an off-night from MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who shot just 6-of-21 for 18 points and was bothered by Thompson's defense. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points.

This win was arguably one of the most impressive victories any NBA team has registered this year.

The Celtics rolled into San Francisco with a league-best 21-5 record as winners of 18 of their last 20 games. They sport the league's top offensive rating and sit 10th in defensive rating, per Basketball Reference.

But they couldn't handle the Warriors backcourt's firepower, which allowed Golden State to lead by as many as 20 points. Boston's last lead came with 6:12 left in the first quarter. It was an impressive result, especially with Andrew Wiggins (right adductor tightness) out.

This ultimately was a masterclass performance from Curry and Thompson, who have routinely torched teams in their combined 26 NBA seasons. The four-time champions have endured an uneven 14-13 start, but they showed what they're capable of at their peak on Saturday.

Twitter gave the duo its deserved credit.

SPLASH BROTHER MASTERCLASS.

Steph: 32 Points | 6 Threes
Klay: 34 Points#SplashBros pic.twitter.com/oYeHEqZb9J

— TBS (@TailBoneSteph) December 11, 2022

This team has Stephen Curry. This team has Draymond Green. This team has Klay Thompson. This team has Jordan Poole. Andrew Wiggins did not play. Jonathan Kuminga has arrived.

Fuck the record. This team turns up like no other. Doubt them at your own risk.

— My Mother's Country Went Back to Back to Back!!!! (@sebguts10) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/chrisdotau/status/1601784665882255361

This Warriors dynasty is now 4-0 in initial rematches against the Finals opponents they beat. They've won those games by an average margin of +10.8 PPG.

The Warriors are still a perfect 14-0 in the regular season when both Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry score 30. pic.twitter.com/rYEMTgM06S

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 11, 2022

*raises hand*

I’d like to finally admit that Wardell Curry and Klay Thompson do, indeed, still have it.

*dies*

— Mitchel Inkrott (@Mitchel_Inkrott) December 11, 2022

Warriors beat the Celtics. Best early season win. Klay Thompson scored 34 points, guarded Jayson Tatum plenty with Wiggins out. Steph Curry 32 points, six 3s, +20. Kevon Looney 15 rebounds, physical/impactful. Jonathan Kuminga emergence continues: 14-5-3, good individual defense.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 11, 2022

Steph Curry & Klay Thompson against the Boston Celtics tonight pic.twitter.com/sl4R3iMqPb

— Anthony (@xutoritz) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/YoungSandwichz/status/1601789963984830465

The road doesn't get any easier for the Warriors, though, as they will face another tough task Tuesday when they visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Boston Celtics failed to exorcise their demons against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at Chase Center in their first meeting since the 2022 NBA Finals.

Golden State defeated Boston 123-107 to move to 14-13 on the season, while the Celtics dropped to 21-6.

In a game where Jayson Tatum was expected to come out firing on all cylinders, the budding superstar struggled, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block in 40 minutes. He made just 6-of-21 shots from the floor and 2-of-9 shots from deep.

Jaylen Brown was a highlight for Boston, finishing with 31 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one steal in 37 minutes. He made 13-of-23 shots from the floor and 3-of-9 shots from deep.

But with Tatum's ugly performance, NBA Twitter was quick to question his MVP credentials in a game where the Celtics never found an answer to Stephen Curry and Co.

https://twitter.com/MatthewMalphurs/status/1601787029792378880

https://twitter.com/1LilRellChasing/status/1601787022427193348

https://twitter.com/pessimisticjosh/status/1601787011933040640

Y'all still got Tatum as MVP over Giannis? 🤔🤔🤔

— Max Margulis (@MaxsAllStars) December 11, 2022

Tatum isnt an MVP. Not yet at least. He shows no value to our team when it really matters. How can you be MVP of the league when you arent even the most valuable player on your team

— AuxiliaryV (@auxiliary_v) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/Dannyphantom441/status/1601786852620763136

Tatum is y’all MVP?🤣🤣🤣

— kuyet (@Kuyet_D) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/ancienteIephant/status/1601787098323111937

Embarrassing game for Tatum. MVP ranking will drop after this one I believe. Brown did a lot. Curry and Klay destroyed us. Everything that could have gone bad did.

— WorldOfCeltics (@WorldOfCeltics) December 11, 2022

Imagine having Tatum as your MVP. Dude is a fraud

— Spence (@Spence_DFS) December 11, 2022

Tatum's performance against the Warriors certainly hurts his MVP chances, but there's still plenty of season left, and he'll get the opportunity to redeem himself when the Warriors travel to face the Celtics at TD Garden in January.

Tatum entered Saturday's game averaging 30.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 25 games while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from deep. It has been his best season since entering the NBA in 2017.

Still, if Tatum is going to beat out players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić for the MVP award, he's going to have to elevate his game when it matters most.

The Golden State Warriors are exploring new contracts for head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors have "broached the concept" of an extension with Kerr.

Myers, whose current deal is set to expire after this season, and the Warriors have had talks about a new contract, but they "appear to be on hiatus" right now.

Myers most recently signed an extension with the Warriors in June 2019. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed at the time, but Wojnarowski reported Saturday it's believed his current contract expires at the end of June.

There would seem to be more urgency for the Warriors to get a deal done with Myers than Kerr.

Kerr has two years left on his current deal, according to Wojnarowski. The 57-year-old has been Golden State's head coach since May 2014.

The Warriors have built the closest thing to a modern-day dynasty thanks to their core group of Thompson, Green and Stephen Curry. They are spending massive amounts of money to keep them together and field a roster around them.

Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Golden State's combined payroll and luxury-tax payment for the 2023-24 season already projects to be $483 million with just 12 players under contract if Green opts in to his deal.

Myers began his professional career as an agent before moving into the front office. He has only worked for the Warriors since being hired as assistant general manager in April 2011.

After Larry Riley was demoted from his post as general manager in April 2012, Myers was promoted to the job. He helped build the roster that has led the Warriors to four NBA titles in the past eight seasons.

Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole are among the notable Golden State draft picks since Myers joined the front office 11 years ago.

Myers was also the general manager when the Warriors signed Kevin Durant in July 2016.

Golden State has gotten off to an inconsistent start this season. Its 13-13 record entering Saturday ranks 11th in the Western Conference, but it's only 4.5 games behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the top spot.

Malik Beasley took exception to Rudy Gobert taking an easy layup in the final seconds of Friday's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz.

Speaking to reporters after the Timberwolves' 118-108 win, Beasley called Gobert's decision in that moment "disrespectful."

"Unwritten rule of basketball and I told him that," Beasley added.

There was a brief scrum on the court after the buzzer sounded, with Beasley having to be separated from Gobert.

Rudy Gobert, on the late dunk and subsequent scrum: “I’ve been taught to play basketball to the last second. For me, there was never any intent to disrespect anybody. These guys who stepped in front of me, they weren’t going to do anything anyway. … It kind of ruined my moment.” pic.twitter.com/WlOzLFjdcr

— tribjazz (@tribjazz) December 10, 2022

With time winding down in the game and Minnesota holding a 116-108 lead, Gobert was standing under the basket and called for the ball. Kyle Anderson passed it to him, and he took the easy points.

There was no one around Gobert and the shot clock was off.

This was his first game back in Utah since being traded to the Timberwolves in July. He had a dominant performance with 22 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes.

Gobert has always been a polarizing player in the NBA. He is a three-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, but there are elements to how he plays that have rubbed some people the wrong way.

There were rumors about tension between Gobert and Donovan Mitchell when they played together in Utah. He was also ejected from a game last week for tripping Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams.

Perhaps Gobert's desire to send a message to the Jazz front office that traded him compelled him to take the points.

Other NBA teams are reportedly keeping an eye on the Toronto Raptors in case they decide to make some significant trades this season.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, rival executives are "watching Toronto closely" and "bracing for fireworks" if the Raptors continue to hover around the .500 mark for the next couple of months.

Lowe added that teams are wondering if the Raptors might be willing to move players such as Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby or even reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes.

Toronto has enjoyed a great deal of success in recent years, reaching the playoffs in eight of the past nine seasons, including winning a championship with Kawhi Leonard leading the way in 2019.

The Raptors fell off and finished 27-45 in a bizarre 2020-21 season that saw them play their home games in Tampa, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they bounced back last season.

Galvanized by the selection of Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the Raptors returned to prominence and the playoffs with a 48-34 mark, although they were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Still, there was a great deal of excitement surrounding the team entering the 2022-23 campaign, due largely to one of the deepest and most talented starting lineups in the NBA, made up of Siakam, Barnes, Anunoby, VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr.

The Raptors also put together a strong bench comprised of veterans Thaddeus Young, Otto Porter Jr., Chris Boucher and Juancho Hernangomez, as well as younger players like Precious Achiuwa, Christian Koloko, Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn.

Despite that, Toronto is only 13-13 on the season, placing it in a three-way tie for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Injuries have undoubtedly played a role in the Raptors' struggles, as Anunoby and Koloko are the only players to have appeared in all 26 games.

Barnes has missed three contests and clearly been less than 100 percent in several others, while Siakam missed 10 consecutive contests last month.

The Raptors undoubtedly have the talent to be players in the Eastern Conference, but even if they remain healthy, it is fair to wonder if the current roster is capable of taking down top teams like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks come playoff time.

If Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri does decide to make a major change before the trade deadline, VanVleet and Trent are perhaps the top trade options since both can opt out after this season, while Siakam has only two years left on his deal.

New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley is hoping to remain with the team despite recent trade rumors.

"I love being in New York," Quickley said after Friday's win over the Charlotte Hornets, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post.

Fred Katz of The Athletic recently reported the Knicks have already started discussing trades with teams amid their 13-13 start to the year. Quickley has reportedly been among the most common players discussed, along with Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose and Cam Reddish.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium first reported the Knicks' interest in discussing Quickley and Rose in trades last month while hoping to "sort out the team's glut at the guard position."

Quickley has been productive off the bench this season, averaging 10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26 appearances. Even without a single start this year, he ranks fourth on the team in total minutes played (601).

The 23-year-old could remain in this role while helping the team compete for a playoff spot. The squad is up to eighth place in the Eastern Conference after three straight wins, creating less urgency to sell assets.

Quickley remains under contract through 2023-24 and would be a restricted free agent the following offseason without a new deal. It could keep him in New York for an extended stretch as long as both sides remain happy.

On the other hand, the guard is eligible for an extension this summer and could command a high cost if he continues to produce on both ends of the court. The Knicks also clearly want to get Quentin Grimes and Miles McBride some extra playing time, and trading Quickley could remove the logjam in the backcourt.

The Knicks could remain patient in evaluating a deal before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson sent a message with a game-ending dunk in Friday's 128-117 win over the Phoenix Suns:

ZION WINDMILL 😱😱😱

THEN BOTH TEAMS GOT CHIPPY! https://t.co/uLdZAwvDkQ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2022

The Suns seemingly took offense to the big dunk when the game was already decided on Friday, with Chris Paul and Cameron Payne among those arguing with Pelicans players after the final whistle.

Williamson explained his mindset on the dunk after the game, per ESPN's Andrew Lopez:

"That was a little out of character for me. But you've got to understand—I mean, you can understand it or not—they sent my teammates home last year.

"I missed all last year. I got carried away a little bit. I admit that. But you know, I was in that locker room when my brothers were down because the Suns sent us home last year. That's a tough moment to be a part of. So, in that moment, I got carried away. I admit that. ... If they were to do the same thing, I wouldn't have no problem with it."

Phoenix had eliminated New Orleans in the first round of the playoffs last season, although Williamson missed the series after being out all year with a foot injury.

Williamson has been a difference-maker upon his return, averaging a team-high 24.5 points per game to go with 7.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He scored 35 points on 13-of-17 from the field in Friday's win as the Pelicans improved to 17-8, the best record in the Western Conference.

The latest victory not only helped avenge last year's playoff loss, it was a statement against the team that finished last year as the No. 1 seed in the West.

New Orleans lost its first game of the year in Phoenix, but Friday's win served as redemption in front of the home fans at the Smoothie King Center.

There is also already some tension between the two sides, including with guards Jose Alvarado and Chris Paul, as Alvarado alluded to after the game.

It's understandable for Williamson to emphasize the emotional win with a monster dunk.

Of course, the two teams play again on Sunday before traveling to Phoenix on Dec. 17 for the final matchup of the year between the two sides. There could be some retaliation in the coming games if the Suns are able to get the upper hand in those contests.