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NBA scores 2015: 16-0 Warriors make Lakers look foolish while setting NBA record

Plus Paul George netting 40, the Grizzlies finding their grit and the Celtics succumbing to the Hawks' balanced offense.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors usually reserve their small ball lineup -- aka their cheat code -- for the end of a close game. But with an NBA record on the line against an inferior opponent on Tuesday, they went to it early. To no one's surprise, it worked. With 5:19 left in the first quarter and the Warriors up 16-7 on the Los Angeles Lakers, Andre Iguodala replaced Andrew Bogut. The Warriors went on a 14-4 run and the game was essentially over. Golden State went on to win 111-77 to become the first NBA team to ever start a season 16-0.

Stephen Curry was brilliant as usual with 24 points and nine assists in 30 minutes. Draymond Green added 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Klay Thompson added 11 points as the Warriors continued their historic run.

As usual, the Warriors made it look easy. They assisted on 19 of their first 22 field goals and found holes in the Lakers' defense all night while holding the unorganized Lakers' offense at bay.

The Warriors didn't slow after their blistering start. They led 54-38 at the half and continued to pour it on, building up a 41-point lead. The starters sat out much of the second half as the reserves held on for a 34-point victory.

The Lakers were not up to the task of defeating the defending NBA champions. Not even close. They are a team in shambles. Kobe Bryant had only four points on 1-of-14 shooting to keep his subpar season going, and at times they weren't even trying to defend Curry -- which is a terrible game plan, by the way.

Someone will beat the Warriors eventually, but it won't be the Lakers.

The question now, is when will the Warriors lose? They go on the road to take on the Phoenix Suns on Friday and then get the Sacramento Kings at home on Sunday. They'll close out November with an away game against the Utah Jazz. It's very feasible they could be 20-0 at the end of the month. From there, they're going on an Eastern Conference road trip. The Warriors may not break the Chicago Bulls' regular season wins record, but 73-9 is definitely on the table.

SB Nation presents: Stephen Curry is literally a video game

3 things we learned

Paul George has the ability to morph into Stephen Curry

George scored 40 points on 19 shots as the Indiana Pacers beat the Washington Wizards 123-106 on Tuesday. George was phenomenal, going 14-of-19 from the field and 7-of-8 from deep as he nearly matched his career-high of 43. And it wasn't just George. C.J. Miles had 32 points and was 8-of-9 from deep as the Pacers made 19-of-26 threes. After staring the season 0-3, the Pacers have reeled off nine wins in 11 games and are looking every bit like they can play with almost anyone in the East -- save the Cleveland Cavaliers. George has been brilliant in that stretch. He's scored at least 20 points in his last 10 games. That leg injury that kept George out of the majority of last season is a thing of the past, and the Pacers are rolling.

The Grizzlies are finding their groove ... er, grit.

Remember when everyone was wondering if we should panic about the Memphis Grizzlies? Well, we shouldn't. After handling the Dallas Mavericks, 110-96, the Grizzlies have won five of their last six to climb to 8-6 -- and the only loss in that stretch came on the second night of a back-to-back on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. They're doing it by correcting the issues they were struggling with. Heading into the game against the Mavericks the Grizzlies were averaging less than 23 third-quarter points per game. Leading by 10 at the half on Tuesday, they blew the game wide open with 36 points in the third. Mike Conley led the way for the Grizzlies with 21 points as seven Memphis players scored in double figures. The grit 'n grind is back.

The Celtics still have some work to do

The Boston Celtics are streaky. After going on a 6-2 stretch to climb to 7-5, they looked like an Eastern Conference playoff team thanks to a strong, pressure defense that was keeping high-powered offenses cold. But after getting blown out by the Atlanta Hawks, 121-97, on Tuesday two days after giving up 111 points to the lowly Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics are left searching for answers. The Hawks, meanwhile, bounced back after a tough loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday by looking more like the team that had the best record in the East last season. Paul Millsap had 25 points to lead seven Hawks in double figures. This could very well be a case of the Celtics having an off night, but the Hawks reminded them that they have a ways to go to enter the East's elite.

Play of the night

Blake Griffin highlights usually involve dunks. Here, he's chucking  They coasted to an easy 111-94 win to snap their three-game losing streak -- and with some rumors of locker-room discord, the Clippers looked like they were having fun out there.

5 fun things

LeBron James curled his mustache. He needs to uncurl his mustache.

Dwight Powell had the worst missed dunk of the year.

Stephen Curry made Jordan Carlson look like he slipped on a banana.

Jeff Teague scored on Isaiah Thomas then made fun of him for being short.

You might want to play defense against Curry, Lou Williams.

Scores

Pacers 123, Wizards 106 (Indy Cornrows recapBullets Forever recap)

Hawks 121, Celtics 97 (Peachtree Hoops recapCeltics Blog recap)

Grizzlies 110, Mavericks 96 (Grizzly Bear Blues recapMavs Moneyball recap)

Clippers 111, Nuggets 94 (Clips Nation recapDenver Stiffs recap)

Bulls 93, Blazers 88 (Blog a Bull recapBlazers' Edge recap)

Warriors 111, Lakers 77 (Golden State of Mind recapSilver Screen and Roll recap)

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