Splash Brothers set up SA showdown, topping Mavs 130-112
DALLAS (AP) — Stephen Curry had several dazzling plays on his way to 31 points, fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson scored 39 and the Golden State Warriors tuned up for a showdown in San Antonio with a 130-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Among a number of displays that drew roars from the typical swarm of the sharpshooting star's fans on the road, Curry stole the ball from Dirk Nowitzki near midcourt before hitting a 35-footer over him at the first-quarter buzzer. Then he glanced a 3-pointer off the glass from the corner with Nowitzki in his face again in the second quarter.
The Warriors made 14 of their first 17 from long range, finished 22 of 38 and won their seventh straight. Now they try to tackle the NBA's longest losing streak on another team's court — 32 straight at the Spurs going back to Feb. 14, 1997.
Nowitzki had 24 points for the Mavericks (34-35), who dropped under .500 for the first time since Nov. 11.
Curry missed Golden State's first trip to Dallas on Dec. 30, when the Warriors lost for just the second time this season.
So there was plenty of anticipation, including before the game when Masters champion Jordan Spieth, a Dallas resident, lined up with the rest to watch Curry warm up. The two stars later chatted briefly.
The reigning MVP was ready when the game started, hitting a 3 less than 2 minutes in while finishing the first half with 22 points to 20 for Thompson.
They combined to make 11 of 17 from long range before halftime, when the Warriors had the highest-scoring quarter (43) and half (73) against Dallas this season. Golden State also topped the previous game high against the Mavericks, set by the Warriors in a 127-107 win in January.
Although they are fading and now in danger of missing the playoffs in the Western Conference, the Mavericks stayed close into the fourth quarter, getting within 98-97 on a 3-pointer by J.J. Barea, who had 16 points and seven assists.
Thompson scored 11 straight Golden State points before another dribbling display by Curry led to an easy layup for a 111-101 lead with 4:20 remaining.
The Mavericks got within five in the final 3 minutes before another 3-pointer from Thompson started the run that finished off Dallas. Curry barely missed a triple-double, leading the Warriors with 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The dynamic pair backed up some pregame comments from Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who said the Warriors were "bigger than the Rolling Stones on tour" by NBA standards.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr didn't disagree, saying "I was on the Beatles back in '96, so I guess it's fitting that I'm now with the Stones. Either way, I was just a roadie setting up the stage for both teams."
TIP-INS
Warriors: C Andrew Bogut left in the second quarter with a left big toe injury and didn't return. ... Thompson had his 1,000th career 3-pointer in the first quarter. ... Harrison Barnes scored 20 points, and Draymond Green had 15 points and eight assists. ... Marreese Speights had 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Mavericks: F Chandler Parsons came out midway through the third quarter with right hamstring soreness and didn't return. He scored 14 points. ... G Wesley Matthews had a scare in the fourth quarter when his right knee buckled and he crumpled to the court. But he stayed in the game after a timeout. ... David Lee had 16 points and 16 rebounds in his second game against his former team.
UP NEXT
Warriors: At San Antonio on Saturday.
Mavericks: Host Portland on Sunday.