P - Andrew Bogut has demonstrated the importance of his defensive muscle as NBA leaders Golden State Warriors hammered the Washington Wizards 107-76.
The Australian centre grabbed 12 rebounds and made two blocks to go with his six points in Monday night's home clash as his Warriors held the Wizards to their lowest score of the season.
Renowned for the three-point prowess of sharpshooters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors are also keenly aware of Bogut's value and will have fingers crossed he stays injury-free for the playoffs.
They improved to a perfect 18-0 record in games in which Bogut claims 10 or more rebounds.
Curry had 24 points plus six assists and five rebounds as the Warriors (57-13) moved closer to securing the league's top playoff seed.
They have a huge lead over Memphis (50-21) in the Western Conference and are pulling away from Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta (53-17) as well.
Bogut's countryman Joe Ingles had a day to remember as he continues his NBA rookie season with the Utah Jazz.
Ingles scored a NBA career-high 18 points as the Jazz lost 106-104 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime.
Ingles regained a starting role in place of Gordon Hayward and had equalled his previous best of 16 points by halftime on 6-of-8 shooting, including four three-pointers from five shots.
His young Australian teammate Dante Exum has been going through a slump, failing to score in three previous outings but managed to get four in this game.
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