Warriors close out 5-0 homestand as Stephen Curry's return nears

SAN FRANCISCO — When Stephen Curry went down with a lower left leg injury in early February, it became the Golden State Warriors' goal to just stay afloat. After surviving 11 games without him in November, they felt they could do it again.

But now, as they prepare for Curry's imminent return — possibly as soon as Sunday afternoon — the Warriors have done more than just stay afloat. Closing out a 5-0 homestand with a 108-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night, Golden State has built some momentum and a great deal of confidence.

«It's been exciting to see our team, I think, turn a corner,» Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

The Warriors have gone 7-3 since Curry went down on Feb. 4. They're four games above .500 (34-30) for the first time this season, and sit in the five seed in the Western Conference one game behind the Phoenix Suns and one game up on the Dallas Mavericks.

«Guys have figured out their roles and I think we are in great condition,» Klay Thompson said. «We are having fun, above all.… You realize how important all these games are from here on out. We want to do everything we can to have home court, especially in the first round. So, it's a great challenge and it's there for us to take.»

In each of their past four games, the Warriors have overcome a double-digit deficit — the first time they've won four consecutive games after trailing by at least 10 in each one over the past 25 seasons.

Two of those four games — against the Portland Trail Blazers and LA Clippers — were won in the third quarter, something that has almost become a signature of the Warriors over the years.

After trailing the Pelicans by 17 points in the first quarter on Friday, the Warriors found a rhythm in the second, outscoring New