DALLAS _ Everything seemed almost perfect, as the Warriors' shots splashed into the net while showing the kind of defensive discipline reserved for clinics. During garbage time on a fast-break, Warriors rookie Jordan Bell threw the ball off the backboard and slammed it home.
As the Warriors have shown so far in the 2017-18 season, though, they have often broken their old habits that once made them great.
The Warriors' 133-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday may have satisfied a bottom-line result as Stephen Curry (29 points), Kevin Durant (25), Klay Thompson (21) and Draymond Green (10) stuffed the box score. After winning two NBA titles in the past three years, however, the Warriors (2-2) have higher aspirations than just avoiding their worst start since opening the 2009-10 season with a 1-3 record and ending a 2-1 record on their trip. So after proving in the first quarter they would run an offense with more efficiency and defend with more discipline, the Warriors' early-season issues emerged once again.
After storming out to a 40-24 first-quarter lead, the Warriors regressed to where they want to be toward who they currently are. The Mavericks (0-4) stormed back to cut the Warriors' cushion to 65-62 by exposing things the Warriors lacked on defense. They were outrebounded, 14-9, while conceding to Dallas a handful of second-chance points (10), points in the paint (16) and 3-pointers (4-of-7).
From there, the Warriors opened the second half with more encouraging signs. They went on a 23-6 run en route to a 83-68 lead that prompted Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle to call timeout with 7:26 left in the third quarter. The Mavericks chipped away again to cut the lead to 87-77 with 5:05 left. The Warriors entered the fourth quarter with a 100-84 cushion. Yet, Thompson and Green both picked up four fouls to close out the third quarter.
Fortunately for the Warriors, they had enough talent to escape with a win over a Dallas (0-4) team that has a tie for the Western Conference's worst record.
Though Curry only shot 2-of-10 from 3-point range, Curry shot more efficiently inside (7-of-15) and from the free-throw line (13-of-13). For the first time entering his ninth NBA season, Curry logged double-digit free-throw attempts for three consecutive games.
Durant proved dominant on nearly every end of the court. He shot 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He posted eight rebounds and a block. He dished out six assists.
While Thompson continued his strong start by shooting 9-of-16 from the field, Green provided more offensive production with a 4-of-8 clip, eight assists and seven rebounds.
So even if the Warriors may lament allowing Dallas to feature double-digit performers in Wesley Mathews (19), Harrison Barnes (13), J.J. Barea (13), Dirk Nowitzki (11) and Dennis Smith Jr. (10), they played well enough to feature their reserves for most of the final period.
