After the deflating loss to the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler laid it out plainly to reporters: “We definitely need 30 back.”So, in what felt like a must-win game to prevent a three-game skid,

The Warriors (42-31) lost the two games Curry missed before outlasting New Orleans, 111-95. The Pelicans were without Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy. All three of the Warriors, Clippers and Timberwolves won, keeping the race for the sixth seed essentially gridlocked. Each team has 42 wins.

Steph Curry overcame a slow start in his return from injury to score 23 points as the visiting Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 111-95 on Friday night.