NBA news: Dallas Mavericks blow half-time lead as Golden State Warriors move 2-0 up in the series
- Seb Sternik
- 21 May 2022
The Golden State Warriors produced a memorable fightback to beat the Dallas Mavericks and go 2-0 in the Western Conference play-off final.
The visitors dominated the opening two quarters and enjoyed a 72-58 lead at the half-way mark.
However, a valiant fightback from the hosts, including yet another high-class display from Steph Curry, allowed the Warriors to take another step towards the NBA Championship.
Curry top scored for the San Francisco outfit with 32 points, while five of his teammates also finished with double figures.
Luka Doncic was the top scorer for Dallas with a game-high 42 points as the Mavericks dominated in the opening 20 minutes.
The visitors not only made 15 of 21 three-pointers, but they also opened up a 19-point lead at one point in the first-half.
From down 19... the @warriors pull off their 3rd-largest postseason comeback in the last 25 years! pic.twitter.com/spztduEu1k
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2022
After the interval, things didn't go to plan for the Mavericks, who made just six three-point attempts in the second half and scored a measly 13 points in the third quarter.
"I told them that if we developed some poise in the second half that the game would come to us," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr in his post-match interview.
"I thought we were so scattered in the first half, maybe emotionally more than anything. Dallas came out and punched us.
"We just needed to get poised and get the game under control. We felt confident that if we did that, they wouldn't make 15 three-pointers in the second half. And that if they did, you just had to pat them on the back."
Steve Kerr on Kevon Looney's versatility, stability, worth ethic, likability and overall importance to the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/F6irdlBgNw
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2022
Being 2-0 down in the series is unlikely to trouble the Mavericks, considering they were in the same predicament in the earlier round against the Phoenix Suns.
Despite their deficit, Dallas came back to beat their opponents 4-3, a fightback coach Jason Kidd hopes his side can replicate.
He said: "We have to understand, when we shoot three or four threes in a row and miss, you've got to get to the rim and got to get the ball into the paint.
"It happens. They held serve. We've seen this in Phoenix so now we have to go back and just focus on game three and get ready for game three, understanding what's at stake."
The series continues on Sunday with the Mavericks set to host the Warriors in Dallas.
