It also came as a number of other candidates for the award saw their numbers taper off during the season's homestretch, including Jarrett Jack of the Golden State Warriors and ex-Knick Jamal Crawford, now with the Clippers.

WSJ: J.R. Smith, New York Knicks: Knicks' Smith Wins NBA Sixth-Man Award

Jarrett Jack added 21 points and nine assists and Andrew Bogut broke out in the first half with 12 points and five rebounds for the sixth-seeded Warriors, who can close out the Nuggets in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Denver.

NPR: Curry Leads Warriors Past Denver 115-101 In Game 4

Rallying around injured David Lee, who cheered on the bench in street clothes, the Warriors got 26 points from surprise starter Jarrett Jack, a career-high 24 from rookie Harrison Barnes in his debut at power forward and 21 from Klay Thompson.

NPR: Curry Leads Warriors Past Nuggets 131-117