Warriors back on NBA Finals doorstep
The Mavericks star's efforts weren't enough to beat a Warriors team that topped Dallas 109-100 Friday night.
Golden State is now one win away from the NBA Finals.
The Warriors' starters were in rhythm all night on both ends of the floor, putting together a series of scoring flurries while also getting defensive stops.
Not even a vendor serving courtside seats whom Stephen Curry tripped over at the end of the first half could stop the Warriors star Friday night. He finished with 31 points, made five 3-pointers and dished out 11 assists while grabbing five rebounds.
Wiggins was also impressive, especially in the fourth quarter. He dunked, sending the 23-yearold to the ground. The Warriors forward was initially called for a foul, but coach Steve Kerr successfully overturned the call, giving the Warriors a 10-point lead.
Wiggins scored 10 of his 27 points in the final quarter and finished with 11 rebounds.
The first two quarters were a pendulum swing, with the Warriors leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter and Dallas by nine in the second.
The Warriors rallied back from the deficit, ending the first half with a 15-5 run. During the scoring spurt, Curry hit two 3-pointers. He celebrated the second one by waving his tongue at fans as he ran down the court, though Mavericks coach Jason Kidd called a timeout to regroup.
Emotions ran high throughout the entire game but especially at that point. Curry's celebration seemed to prompt Dončič to exchange words with Juan Toscano-anderson and Jordan Poole. Eventually, officials stepped in to separate Poole and the Mavericks star. Draymond Green responded by yelling at Dončič and the entire Mavericks' bench, which received its third fine of the postseason for decorum prior to Sunday's game.
The Mavericks, whose game plan was to just keep shooting with hopes their offense would generate defense, made only six of their 25 3-point attempts
in the first half. Jalen Brunson made one of those at the end of the second quarter to give Dallas a one-point lead. Andrew Wiggins responded on the other end with a dunk to put the Warriors up 48-47 at the break.
The Warriors starters outscored
the Grizzlies' opening unit 96-52. Klay Thompson had 19 points and seven rebounds, and Green had 10 points, five assists and five rebounds. Kevon Looney, the hero of Game 2 just two nights prior, finished with nine points and 12 rebounds.