SAN FRANCISCO, Ca.- Stephen Curry scored 32 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 126-117 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
After an ugly Game 1 loss, Dallas needed to bounce back swiftly with a road win on Friday.
Things looked good early for the Mavericks, even if that success wouldn’t last.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 26-10 lead through seven minutes, and walked into the second quarter up 32-25.
Luka Doncic, who scored just 20 points in the first game, already had 18 when the first quarter concluded.
The second quarter got chippy, as Draymond Green drew a technical for a late hit on Jalen Brunson, before Davis Bertans and Damion Lee were handed double technical fouls following a three from Bertans.
Yet Dallas wasn’t flustered by this physicality, as they expanded their lead to take a 72-58 lead into the half.
The third quarter started quite horrendously, as the two teams combined for just 13 points in the first five minutes.
However, by the end of the quarter, the Warriors proved the game wasn’t over quite yet.
They punched Dallas in the mouth, out-scoring them 25-15 to cut Dallas’ lead to just 85-83 going into the fourth.
The Warriors would then catch fire to close the game, emerging with the victory to take a 2-0 series lead.
Dallas’ three-point flame dims
The Mavericks were electric from beyond the arc to begin the game.
Dallas was able to drain a franchise record 15 outside shots in a half, which helped put them in the driver’s seat at first.
Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson were a major part of this, combining to knock down seven threes before halftime.
It wasn’t just the tandem of Doncic and Brunson doing the scoring, as Dallas’ role players thrived as well.
Reggie Bullock stepped up and scored 13 points in the first two quarters, finishing with 21 points in the game.
Dorian Finney-Smith and the aforementioned Bertans also made some big shots at opportune times early.
Yet, Jason Kidd’s squad wasn’t able to keep this hot streak going after the break.
Notably, despite Doncic’s continued brilliance, Dallas’ depth failed to continue excelling.
This was exemplified by the scoring gap between the two teams’ benches.
Even though Jordan Poole and Otto Porter were the only Warrior reserves to score, the duo still out-scored Dallas’ bench 32-13.
In the end, despite a combined 73 points from Doncic and Brunson, Dallas fell once again to the home team.
Warriors fight back
Golden State’s big third quarter performance practically sprouted out of nowhere.
After Dallas sprinted past them in the first half, things seemed concerning when both teams came out flat to start the second half.
But the Warriors would pick up the pace to finish up the quarter.
Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney stepped it up in a big way, helping mitigate the Dallas advantage.
Looney especially continued his strong recent string of playoff performances, already tallying 17 points and nine rebounds by the end of the third.
Looney was simply hustling more than the Mavericks, and it paid dividends for the Warriors. Dallas didn’t have an answer in the front court.
Once the fourth started, Otto Porter nailed a corner three to give Golden State its first lead, 86-85.
From there it was a sprint towards the finish line, and the Warriors left Dallas in the dust.
Poole would finish with 23 points, while Looney would finish with a career-high 21 points.
Adding those two crucial performances to Curry’s superstar showing was the key to Golden State making the comeback.
In this contest, the experience and continuity really seemed to help the Warriors. They didn’t panic and were able to respond.
What lies ahead
Game 3 between these two teams will take place Sunday at 9 p.m. est.
With Dallas returning home, they’ll have more of an advantage than they have thus far.
They’ll need to use this advantage as much as possible, but they shouldn’t count on it to guarantee a win.
As Golden State showed in Game 2, they’ll bring the fight even in the face of adversity. Now Dallas must do the same.
