Final: Warriors 130, Mavs 112

Box Score | Highlights

Behind the Box Score

The Mavs’ 67 points in the first half were the second-most they’ve scored in the opening act all season, topped only by the 69 they tallied against Orlando on March 1. Dallas came out of the gates firing.

Golden State hit an NBA record-tying 15 three-pointers in the first half, yet the Mavs were still right in the game, trailing 73-67. At one point, the Dubs were 14 of 17 from deep. That Dallas was only down a couple buckets illustrates just how efficient the Mavs were. It was one of the more wildly entertaining halves of basketball we’ve seen all season.

Notebook

  • The Mavs played very well, but the Warriors just played better. They hit some crazy 3s, including a Stephen Curry fadeaway from the corner which went in off the top of the backboard, and another 30-plus-footer to beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter. They’ve won 62 games this season, and to the Mavs’ credit this was one of the Warriors’ most challenging wins of the season. Playing without Chandler Parsons for most of the second half due to a sore right hamstring, it would have been easy for Dallas to fall out of competition. The Mavs, however, kept things awfully close until the closing minutes, when a late barrage of Warriors 3s created the separation they needed to put the game away. Moving forward, if the Mavericks can repeat this performance and this same level of intensity in the upcoming home-and-home with Portland, Dallas should have good fortune.

  • Justin Anderson and David Lee brought some serious energy off the bench, chasing down loose balls, playing with a high motor, and especially in Lee’s case, generating points. Lee finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds off the bench, one of the most productive performances by a reserve in team history. It’s easy to really like both of those guys and what they bring to the team. At one point after a Warriors shot clock violation in the fourth quarter, Anderson went into the crowd to get the fans going, reminiscent of what Jason Terry used to do in his time in Dallas. I’ll be darned if he isn’t a fan favorite sooner or later.

  • This was easily the most entertaining game of the season. It was up-tempo, wide-open, free-flowing basketball on both ends, both teams moved the ball sharply, and both teams attacked relentlessly. It was just a case study in how beautiful this game can be when the court is packed with versatile, skilled players. After the Mavs’ small-ball lineup couldn’t get it done Wednesday night in Cleveland, the unit rallied to put on one of its most efficient performances since Dallas introduced it. We won’t have to wait long to see these guys do battle again, as they meet in Oakland next Friday.

  • Chandler Parsons left the game in the third quarter due to a sore right hamstring and did not return. No timetable for return was given, aside from being considered out for the remainder of the game.

  • Wesley Matthews took a nasty fall in the fourth quarter, appearing to grab near his right knee after taking a spill on a fast break. The Iron Man was briefly down on the floor, but he popped right back up and didn’t even leave the game. That’s one tough dude.

    What’s Next

    The Mavs (34-35) play the Portland Trail Blazers (36-34) Sunday at American Airlines Center. Tip-off is at 3 p.m. Central.

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