Golden State beats Dallas, 116-95

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-95 tonight with some shining performances from the stars.

Let’s be honest for a minute, here. We needed this game. It’s been a stressful week and it was nice to sit back and watch some basketballs get thrown into the hoop from downtown. Decompression is good. So thank you for that, Warriors.

This was the first game back at Oracle Arena for former Warriors Andrew Bogut and Harrison Barnes, and for former Santa Cruz Warrior Seth Curry. Bogut did not play, nor did many of the Mavericks’ veterans, so it was up to Barnes and the younger Curry brother to do their best against the Warriors’ starting lineup. Barnes put up 25 points and Curry had nine assists, five steals and two blocks. Curry versus Curry was fun to watch, as the two clearly know each others’ games too well.

But none of that was enough to stop the Warriors’ stars, who had stellar performances tonight. Each of the starters, aside from Zaza Pachulia, had four made 3-point shots, combining for 16-28.

Kevin Durant led all scoring in the game with 28 points and 10 rebounds, earning him a double-double alongside Draymond Green, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Splash Brothers, who have been in a bit of a drought or plagued by inconsistency this season, were all splash tonight. Stephen Curry had 24 points and Klay Thompson had 20. It should be noted that 18 of Thompson’s points came in the first quarter, as he got into foul trouble and missed much of the later part of the game.

The first quarter started off hot from the beginning, with Thompson nailing a couple of field goals early, Pachulia setting him up for a couple more, and then going for back-to-back-to-back-to-BACK 3-point shots. He hadn’t missed a shot at that point and he definitely had the hot hand. Durant closed out the quarter with two 3-pointers of his own and they went to the second quarter up 34-15.

The shots continued to fly in, and defense held strong in the second quarter, with Curry, Durant and Green each doing damage from downtown leading the Warriors to halftime with a 33-point advantage.

Curry tweaked his ankle early in the third quarter and went to the locker room before the ten minute mark. But re-entered the game later in the quarter. Meanwhile, the rest of the team was playing complacently. Defense was sloppy and low-energy, with the Mavericks chipping away at the lead and getting the score close to single digits. However, Curry then came back in, raining down field goals, and kept the lead at a fairly steady 15 points.

It picked right back up where it left off in the fourth quarter. Curry got the scoring going early with a couple of layups and a deep (though uncontested) 3-point shot. The bench came in and contributed towards the end with David West, Patrick McCaw and Kevon Looney each putting up five points. The Warriors held on and won by 25 points.

Notes

• Kevin Durant tied Michael Jordan on the list of consecutive games with 20 or more points, at 72.
• The Warriors welcomed Bogut and Barnes back with a lovely tribute video and a warm ovation from the fans.

• And, lastly, this gif — because many could probably use it right now.

The Warriors face the Nuggets tomorrow night in Denver at 6:00pm Pacific.