The Los Angeles Lakers lost their third consecutive game in a row Monday night, as the Golden State Warriors have established a firm footing in the Western Conference playoff chase after their 109-103 win.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry led the way with 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds on a sprained ankle.

"I've been through a lot with the ankle," Curry said. "This year has been a new feeling."

Curry was complemented by teammates David Lee with 23 points and 12 rebounds and Klay Thompson with 22 points. The victory helped Golden State (41-31) improve to a game ahead of idle Houston (39-31) and 4½ games in front of the Lakers (36-35) for sixth place in the West.

With little games remaining in the season and playoff positions limited, the Warriors proved to themselves who the better team was out the two Monday night.

"It's a message that was sent," Warriors coach Jackson said. "I wanted my guys to understand that we are the better team. ... We were not going to come into the game on our heels. We respect them and they have guys that will be in the Hall of Fame. ... That being said, this is a different day."

The Lakers Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and Steve Nash had 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in an otherwise lackluster Lakers effort.

"We just got to maintain our poise and just think about execution and what we're going to do," Bryant said. "You got to look at what teams are doing against us in terms of spreading us out and rolling the big, and now we collapse and we're releasing the shooters. This is about the third game in a row that that's happened to us. Not get overly emotional. Just look at what's going on and just make adjustments."

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