‘We probably should have lost’: NBA-best Warriors avoid egg on their face against NBA-worst 76ers

The Golden State Warriors blew an expectantly large lead against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, only to recover and narrowly avoid a shocking upset.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors goes against Robert Covington of the Philadelphia 76ers during their NBA contest on Saturday night. Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports / January 30, 2016

This was a game even the Golden State Warriors felt they should have lost.

Harrison Barnes hit a three-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining and Golden State escaped with a 108-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Klay Thompson had 32 points and Stephen Curry scored 23 for the Warriors, who nearly blew a 24-point second-half lead. Draymond Green added 10 points and 13 rebounds for Golden State, who opened a three-game road trip with its sixth straight victory while matching the NBA's best start through 47 games.

It ties the 1966/67 76ers, who also won 43 of their first 47.

“If the gods delivered what should have happened, we probably should have lost because that’s what happens when you mess around with the game and the ball,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

Isaiah Canaan had 18 points to lead the 76ers, who dropped to 7-41 but nearly pulled off the most improbable victory of the NBA season.

Read more: Jonathan Raymond on Golden State showing again what a big-game force they are against San Antonio

“It shows we have no letdown, no backdown,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said.

Philadelphia trailed by double-digits most of the second half until a late 15-2 run tied the game at 105 with 22.3 seconds left. The Warriors won it when Curry passed inside to Green, who fired outside to Barnes on the right baseline.

“We kind of went into it knowing they were going to trap Steph, so whoever it was that got the ball tried to make a play,” Barnes said. “(Green) made that kick to the corner. I just let it ride.”

Brown said the 76ers weren’t going to let Curry get off a shot.

“Anybody but the MVP,” he said.

Ish Smith scored 18 points and Jahlil Okafor, who returned after missing two straight games due to illness, had 13.

The Warriors tied a franchise record with 26 assists in a dominating first half when they went up 73-54. They seemed on cruise control until Philadelphia’s stunning rally.

Nerlens Noel made an alley-oop dunk and a Smith 16-footer followed and, suddenly, the 76ers were within 103-99 with 1:01 left.

Following a timeout, Canaan converted a four-point play after hitting a three and being fouled by Curry to make it 105-103 with 38.6 remaining. Smith then stripped Curry and finished with a dunk to tie it. After Barnes’ shot, Philadelphia were unable to get a final shot off after inbounding the ball at halfcourt.

Curry’s carnival

Curry finished the first half with a reverse layup that drew loud cheers from a Philadelphia crowd that made it look and sound more like a Warriors home game.

Curry’s presence brought many unusual sights to the 76ers’ home court. Most in the crowd who wore team gear were clad in Warriors logos. Golden State’s players, especially Curry, were cheered loudly during pregame introductions while the 76ers were met with only tepid applause.

There’s been hardly any buzz at 76ers home games this season, but there was a carnival-like atmosphere more than an hour before tipoff.

A yellow rope lined the outside of the court to keep fans at bay. There are generally a couple hundred fans watching warmups, but there were thousands “oohing” and “aahing” with cellphones recording every moment as Curry swished one three-pointer after another.

Most of the time, there is ample room on press row to spread out. With Curry in town, there was overflow seating that forced some media members into the hockey press box in the balcony.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport