Curry, Warriors rally past Mavs for 2-0 lead in West finals
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 32 factors with six 3-pointers and eight rebounds, Kevon Looney had a career-high 21 factors and 12 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors used certainly one of their signature third-quarter flurries to rally previous the Dallas Mavericks 126-117 on Friday evening for a 2-0 lead within the Western Convention finals.
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks led a lot of the method earlier than the Warriors took their first lead of the evening on Otto Porter Jr.’s 3-pointer 18 seconds into the fourth. Porter’s three-point play with 7:21 remaining made it 100-92.
Doncic scored 42 factors, 18 within the first quarter — two shy of his whole for all of Sport 1. His 3-pointer with 13 seconds earlier than halftime put Dallas up 72-58 on the break and gave him 24 factors.
He even bought a Twitter shoutout from Oakland’s own MC Hammer: “Okay younger Luka … We see you.”
However the Warriors answered with a 25-13 third quarter to tug to 85-83 going into fourth — a 3rd quarter paying homage to people who outlined so lots of their latest playoff runs.
Doncic shot 12 for 23 and shined in a sport of good shotmaking — the Warriors completed 56.1% from the ground. Within the first half alone, Dallas edged Golden State 52.3% to 51.2%, together with a exceptional 55.6% to 53.3% from 3-point vary.
The collection shifts to Dallas for Sport 3 on Sunday. Golden State is 2 wins from a return to the NBA Finals for the primary time since making 5 straight journeys from 2015-19.
Jordan scored 23 factors off the bench, Wiggins had 16 and Klay Thompson — held scoreless within the first half of the collection opener — added 15 factors for a second straight sport.
Jalen Brunson scored eight of the primary 14 Dallas factors on the best way to 31. The Mavericks didn’t need to see as a lot of Draymond Green, who picked up his fifth foul with 6:01 left within the third, then returned with 6:33 left earlier than fouling out with 2:25 to go.
The groups tangled with 8:03 left within the second quarter in entrance of the Dallas bench. Warriors reserve Damion Lee closed out as Davis Bertans hit a 3-pointer from the nook and Bertans tripped Lee and despatched him in a flip laborious to the ground. Lee needed to be held again by official Eric Lewis.
The gamers had been issued double technicals.
In Sport 1 two days earlier, Doncic confronted smothering protection from Wiggins and shot simply 6 for 18 and three of 10 from deep.
“Luka simply didn’t make photographs,” coach Jason Kidd mentioned in predicting a much better outing in Sport 2.
Golden State continued to push the tempo and dedicated 16 turnovers after 15 within the opener.
RELIABLE LOONEY
Moved again into the beginning lineup for the clinching Sport 6 of the semifinals in opposition to Memphis, Looney shot 10 for 14 after making all 5 of his subject targets in Sport 1.
He notched his second profession postseason double-double.
TIP-INS
Mavericks: Dallas led by as many as 16 within the opening quarter. … The Mavs had been outrebounded once more at 43-30 after a 51-35 drawback in Sport 1. They dedicated one fewer turnovers with 12 after Doncic had seven within the collection opener. “We’ve bought to care for the ball as a result of the Warriors when you flip the ball over, they’re gone, and a whole lot of occasions it’s an open 3,” Kidd mentioned beforehand.
Warriors: G Gary Payton II — who broke his left elbow on a tough foul when Memphis star Dillon Brooks clobbered him Could 3 on a quick break for a Flagrant 2, ejection and one-game suspension — is doing gentle particular person work on courtroom that features capturing together with his non-dominant proper hand and will likely be re-evaluated in every week. … F Andre Iguodala missed his ninth straight sport with a disc damage in his neck is constant his rehab with bodily remedy and coaching within the weight room with some gentle on-court work. The Warriors mentioned they may present an replace when he’s cleared to follow. … Golden State improved to 8-0 at house this postseason and is 18-5 in Sport 2s courting to the 2015 title run. … Inexperienced was voted to the NBA All-Defensive Second Group.
QUOTABLE
“Steph is the best-conditioned athlete on this sport, he by no means stops shifting.” — Kidd
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Janie Mccauley, The Related Press
