Will Ferrell channels his Jackie Moon and inspires Warriors to snap five-game slide / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA Sports Today-Scanpix Credit USA Sports Today-Scanpix

Will Ferrell channeled his Jackie Moon, while Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole combined for 41 points off the bench, and the Golden State Warriors (44-21) found their first-rate defensive form in a 112-97 (21-21, 33-15, 32-25, 26-36) triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers (34-33) on Tuesday night in San Francisco.

Player of the Game EFF 26 Jonathan Kuminga Points 21 Accuracy 7-12 Rebounds 6 Assists 6

Ferrell took the floor and warmed up with the whole Warriors team, screaming and putting a hand in Klay Thompson's face as the Golden State star lofted a baseline 3-pointer.

The comedy star donned a vintage-style headband and dressed in his Jackie Moon jersey from the 2008 hoops filmSemi-Pro, a moment that was meant especially for Thompson, who dressed as Moon for Halloween three years ago.

Ferrell banked in a half-court shot on his second try and passed to Stephen Curry, even using his foot to kick the basketball to the reigning scoring champ before Curry knocked down a 3 to complete his pregame routine.

"I'm under contract," Ferrell told The Associated Press. "So this is the very first tryout with the team, let's see what happens."

Asked about the half-court shot, Ferrell was pretty confident: "I make those in my sleep."

Speaking of the game, Kuminga led all scorers with 21 points, Poole and Klay Thompson ran up 20 apiece, Stephen Curry had 15, and Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 14 as the Warriors snapped a five-game losing streak.

Golden State's star power returned to the lineup after Thompson, Curry, and Wiggins were given the night off Monday as the Warriors lost at Denver.

Nicolas Batum had a team-high 17 points for the Clippers, whose point total was the lowest for a Golden State opponent since a 132-95 win at Portland in the Warriors' first game after the All-Star break. Los Angeles dropped its second game in a row.

Golden State had allowed an average of 122.6 points during the five-game skid.

Golden State Warriors / Schedule

Dallas Mavericks Golden State Warriors122-113 Los Angeles Lakers Golden State Warriors124-116 Denver Nuggets Golden State Warriors131-124 Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers112-97 Denver Nuggets Golden State WarriorsFri03:00 Golden State Warriors Milwaukee BucksSun01:30 Golden State Warriors Washington WizardsTue02:00

After holding 21 of their first 48 opponents under 100 points, going 35-13 over that span, the Warriors had been scorched for 100 or more in 15 of 17, going 8-9, before Tuesday's effort.

The Clippers, who had scored 142 and 132 points in two of their last six games, were limited to 35.5 percent shooting and 12-for-39 success (30.8 percent) on 3-point attempts.

Coming off a 116-93 home loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday, the Clippers played Golden State evenly at 21-21 for a quarter before the Warriors gradually seized command.

Poole scored 13 points in the second quarter, during which Golden State built as much as a 20-point lead.

Kuminga finished the night 7-for-12 from the field while Poole went 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, helping the Warriors shoot 47.8 percent overall and 38.2 percent (13 of 34) from long distance.

Wiggins completed a double-double with a career-high-tying 11 rebounds. Curry had five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Rookie Moses Moody was a sixth Warrior in double figures with 10 points as Golden State, which returns to Denver for a rematch on Thursday, was able to prevail on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Marcus Morris Sr. and Luke Kennard backed Batum with 11 points apiece for the Clippers, while Isaiah Hartenstein, Brandon Boston Jr. and Rodney Hood dropped in 10 each.

Held without a field goal on six attempts while totaling four points in all, Ivica Zubac was the leading rebounder for the Clippers with nine. Reggie Jackson compiled a game-high seven assists on a night when he shot 2-for-14 and totaled just five points.

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