OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Sixers nearly spoiled Stephen Curry's 29th birthday.
On Tuesday night at Oracle Arena, the Sixers dominated the first three quarters against the Warriors. They led, 90-78, after three and threatened to extend the Warriors' losing streak to four games.
The Warriors are 26-4 at home this season, though, and showed why in the fourth. They opened the final quarter on a 15-2 run, including holding the Sixers scoreless for the first two minutes of it in an eventual 106-104 win.
The Sixers had their chances.
With a minute to go, the Sixers trailed the Warriors, 104-103. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot fouled Draymond Green, who made both free throws. Green swatted T.J. McConnell's driving layup on the ensuing possession and the Sixers retained the ball with 45.7 seconds to go. Richaun Holmes then stepped out of bounds, but Dario Saric stole the ball from Green on the next trip down the court.
The Sixers had an opportunity for a game-tying three with 8.5 seconds on the clock. However, McConnell overthrew the inbounds pass and Matt Barnes was there for the steal. The veteran raced down the court only to miss a dunk attempt.
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Luwawu-Cabarrot collected the board and found Saric on the fast break. Green fouled Saric with 2.6 seconds remaining in the game. Saric made the first three throw and intentionally missed the second in an attempt for the Sixers to get a final shot. Holmes missed a layup off the rebound and Green pulled down the board to seal the Warriors' win.
Inside the box score
• Curry led all scorers with 29 points (six rebounds, five assists). He dropped 12 points in the fourth.
• Klay Thompson scored 28 points, all in the first three quarters.
• Saric led the Sixers with 25 points (and seven rebounds) as he scored 20-plus points for the third time on this four-game road trip.
• Jahlil Okafor scored 22 points with six rebounds and four blocks in 23 minutes.
• Green posted 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, four steals and six blocks.
• McConnell dished a game-high 10 assists with seven points and seven rebounds.
• Holmes scored 14 points with eight rebounds off the bench.
Kerr praises Saric
Before the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked by a reporter about the Rookie of the Year competition. While Kerr said he hasn't thought about who should win, he did have a strong opinion about Saric.
"I do know that Saric is a hell of a player," Kerr said. "He's fun to watch. He fits the modern NBA game. He can step out and make threes. He can pass and can put it on the floor. He's a good-looking young player."
Injury updates
Jerryd Bayless (left wrist), Ben Simmons (right foot) and Tiago Splitter (right calf), all on the inactive list, were at Oracle Arena. They have been with the Sixers for the entire West Coast road trip (more on Simmons here). Joel Embiid (left knee) did not join the team in Oakland.
Injured Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant (left knee) was also at the game.
Up next
The Sixers will return to Philadelphia after this game. They play Friday against the Mavericks at the Wells Fargo Center in Nerlens Noel's first game back in Philly.