Curry leads Warriors, Butler stars in Rose's absence

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Curry posted a game-high 34 points and nine assists to lift the NBA-leading Warriors to a 114-109 road win at ORACLE Arena in Oakland.

The Thunder came out blazing in the first half and opened up a 17-point lead on the back of Kevin Durant.

Durant was 10 of 13 from the field for 30 points before suffering a mild ankle sprain that forced him to sit out the second half.

And the Warriors (22-3) took full advantage of the NBA MVP's absence, rallying to snap the Thunder's (12-14) seven-game winning streak.

Klay Thompson (19), Draymond Green (16), Harrison Barnes (12) and Justin Holiday (12) all contributed double-digit points for the Warriors, who announced earlier on Thursday that star big man Andrew Bogut is out indefinitely due to a knee injury.

Russell Westbrook was the pick of the Thunder players, finishing with a team-best 33 points, while Andre Roberson had 10 points and 12 rebounds in a double-double performance.

Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 35 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the New York Knicks 103-97.

In a match missing stars Derrick Rose (illness) and Carmelo Anthony (knee), Butler showcased his skills at United Center in Chicago.

Butler was 11 of 21 from the court and he finished with four three pointers, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

"All I can say is thank God for Jimmy Butler," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You can't say enough about him."

Timothy Hardaway Jr (23) tallied the most points for the Knicks, who have now lost three games in a row and 13 of 14.

The Houston Rockets were upstaged 99-90 by the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans, led by Anthony Davis and his 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, overcame a one-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to topple the Rockets.

James Harden (21 points) and Dwight Howard (17 points, 13 rebounds) were the pick of the bunch for the Rockets.

Meanwhile, DeMarcus Cousins' return was not enough to inspire the Sacramento Kings, who lost 108-107 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cousins, who registered 27 points and 11 rebounds on Thursday, had missed 10 consecutive games due to viral meningitis.

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