NBA Playoffs: Curry leads Warriors to big win over Mavs in series opener

San Francisco, California - The Golden State Warriors were on fire in the opening game of their Western Conference Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks, leading throughout for a 112-87 win.

Steph Curry goes up to score for the Warriors in their Game 1 win over the Mavs.
Steph Curry goes up to score for the Warriors in their Game 1 win over the Mavs.  © USA TODAY Sports

Defensive stops were the theme for the Warriors, holding the Mavericks to just 18 points in the opening quarter to open up a 10-point lead after the first frame.

The Mavericks trimmed the margin to 35-33 halfway through the second quarter, but from that point on it was all Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins' highest-scoring playoff half of his career as he had 15 to lead his side to a 54-45 half-time advantage.

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson took over in the third period, combining for 20 of the Warriors' 34 points to help their side jump ahead by 20 points, allowing the Dubs to coast home unchallenged in the last.

Curry leads the way again

Curry (2nd from r.) celebrates with his Warriors teammates during the second quarter.
Curry (2nd from r.) celebrates with his Warriors teammates during the second quarter.  © USA TODAY Sports

Curry finished with game-highs in points and rebounds, with 21 on seven-of-16 shooting and 12 respectively, while Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins chipped in 19 points each on a combined 16-of-29 shooting.

Six Warriors players finished with at least three assists, and as a team they had 24 assists on 46 field goals, while the Mavericks had 14 assists from their 31 field goals.

Luka Dončić looked primed for a big game early on, but struggled to score the ball efficiently, finishing with a team-high 20 points on six-of-18 shooting to go with seven turnovers and four assists. The Mavericks had their worst shooting performance of these NBA Playoffs at 36% (31-of-86), and 22% from long-range (11-of-48).

Golden State will host Game 2 on Friday before Game 3 heads to Dallas on Sunday.

Cover photo: USA TODAY Sports

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