Tag: Dallas Mavericks

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, rear, during game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sun May 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Take A Commanding Series Lead 3-0

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (3-0) traveled to Dallas to take on the Mavericks (0-3) in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday. The Warriors came out of it with a 109-100 win in Dallas to move up in the series 3-0 and are on the brink of sweeping the series.

The Warriors came out in the first quarter with great energy jumping to a 14-7 lead early. They went on a 10-0 run in the first quarter before Dallas really got going.

Luka Doncic would finish the quarter with a 32-foot three pointer. After the first 12 minutes the Warriors held a slim 25-22 lead. The Mavericks had really heated up as the clock ran out on the first quarter.

The Maverick’s took a lead early in the second quarter. Both teams were struggling from downtown shooting at 22%. Dallas would jump to a nine point lead in the second but Golden State would fight back to take a 48-47 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors would lose Otto Porter Jr. in the quarter who went to the locker room for x-rays on his left foot. This was a significant loss for the Warriors. Porter has been an essential part of Golden State’s success in the past two games offensively and defensively. He was unable to return to the game.

The Warriors began to have turnover issues and coupled with struggles shooting in the second quarter they could not get away with poor ball control going forward.

The Warriors extended their lead in the third quarter leading after three 78-68. Golden State had outscored Dallas 30-21 in the quarter. It would all come down to the fourth quarter for the Warriors. Ball control and execution would decide this game.

The Warriors took a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks continued to fight trimming the lead to eight but Golden State relentlessly pushed back. Jordan Poole made two crucial long shots to ice this game.

Dallas had trouble shooting the ball in the final quarter and desperately needed stops which just didn’t happen. Golden State had taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the series winning.

Stephen Curry finished with 31 points. Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson rounded out the top numbers, Wiggins with 27 and Thompson with 19.

The two long balls in the final minutes from Poole made all the difference. This was an amazing team effort. Offensive rebounding was just one more plus for Golden State. Kevon Looney finished with 12 rebounds and Wiggins with 11.

The Warriors will play game four on Tuesday night looking to finish off Dallas in game four.. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

The Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (11) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the first half of action at the Chase Center in San Francisco in game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on Fri May 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Take A 2-0 Series Lead In A Thriller 126-117

By Barbara Mason

Going into Game Two of the Western Conference Finals the Golden State Warriors fully expected to see a different Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic but they did not expect to see a right shoulder injury coupled with battling a terrible 24 hour flu that kept him up all Wednesday night. This guy is a fighter and he started in Friday night’s game although not at 100%. Doncic’s issues helped Golden State win their second straight against the Mavericks in game 2 at Chase Center 126-117.

Game 2 recap: Two minutes into the first quarter Warrior Head Coach Steve Kerr called a timeout not liking what he was seeing defensively. They gave up three open shots to the Mavericks resulting in the early Dallas lead. The Mavericks led 8-2 and Dallas was already shooting better to start the game then in game one.

Four minutes into the game turnovers were already hurting the Warriors. Doncic gave the Warriors the answer early as to his physical condition. He was two off four from downtown and six of nine on two-point shots. When Luca has 18 points in the first quarter that spells big trouble. Dallas led after one 32-25.

The second quarter was a medley of terrible calls. The Warriors were concentrating on these lousy calls rather than being wrapped up in the game. Turnovers were numerous and the Mavericks capitalized on just about all to them.

The Mavericks led at the half 72-58. Luca finished the first half with 24 points and Jalen Brunson had a great start with 20 points. Doncic already had more points then he had in the entirety of game one.

The Warriors trailed by as much as 19 points in the first half and had cut into that deficit a bit by half time. Stephen Curry really heated up in the later minutes finishing with 20 points. Golden State would need a lot more in the second half from Klay Thompson who only had 6 points and Jordan Poole with seven points.

Golden State really cut into the Maverick’s lead in the third quarter trailing by five points with 2:12 left in the quarter 81-76. After three quarters the Mavericks saw their lead cut to two points 85-83.

The Warrior had held Brunson to three points and Doncic to four. It all hinged on the fourth quarter. Golden State had outscored Dallas in the third quarter 25-13.

In the fourth quarter the Warriors took their first lead in the game 86-85. With 2:25 Draymond Green fouled out of the game. Golden State led with 2:07 left in the game 119-112.

The Mavericks just could not get any stops in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Golden State had taken a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Warriors had 38 points in the paint in a brilliant second half. Kevon Looney had a career high with 21 points and 12 rebounds. “In the third quarter I was able to hold my own. Getting those stops is always a boost,” said Looney after the game.

When you win a game with Doncic scoring 42 points you know that you played with offensive and defensive excellence.

Curry had the team high with 32 points and off the bench it was a “Poole Party” with Jordan dropping in 23 points.

Despite the continued chants from the fans “refs you suck” the sucky refs were not able to deny the Warriors this win. It was horrible officiating in the game.

Golden State will now travel to Dallas to get a taste of the fans at American Airlines Center. They will be gunning for a 3-0 series lead. Tipoff is schedule for 6:00 PM.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, left, is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) in first half action in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed May 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Take Game One Against Dallas 112-87

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors took on the Dallas Mavericks in Game One of the Western Conference Finals and came away with a 112-87 win to open the series at Chase Center in San Francisco.

After beating the Memphis Grizzlies in the semifinals there was concern with the play of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole in the last four games. While they have had their moments consistency has been missing. The Warriors Kevon Looney contended with Luca Doncic which was a very tough assignment.

Game 1 recap: The first quarter was close for a minutes but by the finish of the first 12 minutes the Warriors led 28-18. The Mavs did outscore Golden State in the second quarter by a single point 27-26. At the half the Warriors led 54-45 shooting at 56% to the Mavericks 32%.

There was better ball protection in the first half with six turnovers. The one glaring stat was the fact that Thompson was scoreless in the first two quarters and Curry was also struggling. Andrew Wiggins had an excellent first half keeping the team afloat.

The Warriors extended their lead after three quarters leading 90-69. “We are defending really well, as well as moving the ball,” said Warrior head coach Steve Kerr after the third quarter. It was quite a relief for Golden State to have Kerr back on the sidelines after a bout with Covid.

Jordan Poole, Curry and Thompson got going in the second half. In the early minutes of the fourth quarter the Warriors had a 98-69 lead prompting a Dallas timeout. When you can hold Luka Doncic to 20 points through three plus quarters you’ve really put the stops on the Mavericks.

With four minutes left in the game the Warriors led by 30 points 106-76. The Warriors bench would close out this game. Damian Lee, Nemanja Bjelica, Moses Moody, Juan Toscano – Anderson and Jonathan Kuminga brought this one home. The final was in favor of the Warriors in this first game of these Western Conference Finals.

The Mavericks had a tough start to the series. They were 11 of 48 from downtown and you could see frustration clearly etched on the face of Luka Doncic.

It was a great finish for Golden State. The entire starting roster shot in double digits. Curry had the high with 21 points closely followed by Andrew Wiggins and Poole who had 19 points apiece. Everything was working for the Warriors in the second half to secure the first win of this series. Golden State would need more of the same in Game Two.

The second game of this series at Chase will tipoff Friday at 6:00 PM.

Stephen Curry (30) made a return performance for the Golden State Warriors in game 1 against the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Apr 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Open Series With 123-107 Win; Take game 1 at Chase Center for openers

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (53-29) took on the Denver Nuggets (48-34) in the first round of the 2021-22 playoffs. The Warriors welcomed back Stephen Curry who had missed significant time with a sprained ligament in his left foot.

A determined Curry worked hard to get back into tonight’s game apparently with limited minutes but bringing the leadership that his team relies on from him. All eyes will be on Curry as he plays his first game in over four weeks.

One of the biggest challenges for Golden State will be MVP from last year Nikola Jokic and quite possibly repeating as MVP again this year.

This was a hotly contested game as expected. After one quarter the Nuggets held a 27-26 lead. As the second quarter came to an end the Warriors had outscored Denver 32-20 and had a 58-47 half-time lead. Jokic had 14 points in the half but it was Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson with 17 and 14 points that made the difference. With 4.2 seconds left in the second quarter Curry made a 28-foot three point jumper to finish the first half in Warrior style.

Golden State had to continue to try and contain Jokic and keep his shooting to a minimum He is the heart and soul of the Nuggets and the last thing you want is for him to go on a scoring frenzy.

The Warriors continued to pour it on and after three quarters led 90-70. While this game was far from over, Golden State was playing with intensity and purpose.

The Warriors were one quarter away from taking game one in this series. Poole continued to play lights out basketball through the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game the Warriors bench took it home. The final was 123-107.

Nikola Jokic finished with 25 points, ten rebounds and Will Barton had 24 points for the Nuggets. Tonight it was all Warriors from the second quarter on and there was no stopping them.

Poole finished with 30 points and was five of seven from downtown. It was a great night for Curry in his return with 16 points and he was three of six from beyond the arc.

Game two at Chase Center will tipoff at 7:00 PM on Monday night.

Luca Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks keeps the ball away from the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-20) lost to the Dallas Mavericks (38-25) 122-113 and in a second meeting in less than a week. The way that Dallas is playing right now, they are very real contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

Sunday night after leading by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Warriors went cold losing to Dallas 107-101 in a 27 point turnaround. Lack of energy, execution and effort were the downfall of Golden State. Losing on their home court is something that we rarely see but it has been happening lately.

The Warriors tried their luck in the Mavericks building trying to even the score in these last three games. January 5th in Dallas the Warriors lost 99-82. Then again in January on the 25th, the Warriors manhandled the Mavericks 130-92.

That was then and this is now and the Warriors needed to get their act together. Jason Kidd has coached the Mavericks brilliantly and the Warriors need to impose their will instead of visa versa. Better execution and effort will be the order of the day in this game.

They needed to start hitting those open looks and if the three’s are not dropping they have to drive the basket, maybe draw some fouls and stop making the long ball the end all be all. Thursday the team needed help from Klay Thompson who returned to the court. In the one game that Golden State won this season against Dallas, Klay played.

The Warriors opened the first quarter working very hard defensively but it was a slow start offensively. The Mavericks got of to a great start leading 14-7 mid-way through the quarter. Luca Doncic was the driving force for Dallas shooting and drawing fouls. After a single quarter Doncic had scored 19 points. The Mavericks held a 38-27 lead and had shot 60% from the field.

The Mavericks became far too comfortable offensively in the first half. The Warriors had to do something to disrupt their flow in the second half. It was as if the Mavericks could not miss through two quarters. Dallas’ three point shooting was the difference in this game. The Mavericks held a 68-54 half-time lead.

The Warriors made up some ground in the third quarter which became a shooting marathon between both teams. With four minutes left in the quarter Doncic already had 35 points. The Mavericks were having their best three-point shooting night of the season with 15. The Mavericks maintained their lead after three 99-91. The Warriors had made up some ground but still had a lot of work to do.

After being 17 down the Warriors had tied up this game thanks to Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody dropping three’s. These rookies had come to play. With 6:26 left in the game and the score 104 apiece this was anyone’s game.

The Warriors put up a fight but just could not handle Doncic and company. Doncic finished with 41 points and the Mavericks had 17 from downtown in an amazing game. The Warriors had 15 from long which is not at all shabby.

It was just too little too late in yet another game that Golden State was unable to finish. “We did not start out the game the way that we wanted to,” said Head Coach Steve Kerr after the game. “We let him (Doncic) get going,” he said.

The Warriors had a great fourth quarter but it was just not enough to make up for the first half. Jordan Poole was the point leader in the game with 23 points.

It’s onto Los Angeles for the Warriors to take on the Lakers Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.