DALLAS -– The “trap game” lurked all day Friday and into the evening before the Warriors in the fourth quarter shook themselves free.
The defending champions pulled away late for a 130-112 victory over the Mavericks on the eve of their breathlessly anticipated matchup with the Spurs in San Antonio.
The Warriors (62-6) avenged a previous loss at Dallas (Dec. 30) and, moreover, moved two games ahead of the pace set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, whose 72-10 record is the best in NBA history.
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 70 points to lead an offense that was by turns awesome and average. Thompson finished with 39 points, while Curry put in 31.
Two other Warriors scored in double figures, as Draymond Green put in 15 points and Marreese Speights came off the bench to add 11.
The Warriors posted their 30th road victory, becoming the 14th team in league history to achieve that standard.
Former Warrior David Lee finished with 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Mavericks (34-35).
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STANDOUT PERFORMER
This was a Splash Brothers kind of night, and Thompson and Curry dropped jaws all over American Airlines Center.
Thompson’s line: 39 points (14-of-22 from the field, 10-of-15 beyond the arc), five rebounds and two assists. He was plus-2 for the game. The 10 treys ties his season-high.
Curry’s line: 30 points (12-of-26 from the field, 6-of-12 from deep), 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals. He finished plus-8.
Speights was strong off the bench, with 13 points (6-of-8 shooting), five rebounds and two assists. He was plus-16.
TURNING POINT
After a J.J. Barea 3-pointer pulled Dallas within 1 (98-97) with 9:13 remaining, the Warriors responded with an 11-2 run, punctuated by a Thompson 3-pointer, to go up 109-99 with 6:18 to play.
Dallas never got closer than five after that.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: C Andrew Bogut sustained left big toe injury in the first half and did not return. F Andre Iguodala (L ankle sprain), F Kevon Looney (R hip inflammation) and C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) are not with the team.
Mavericks: F David Lee (R groin strain) was listed as probable but made available prior to tipoff. F Chandler Parsons sustained a right hamstring strain in the third quarter and did not return. F Jeremy Evans (R shoulder surgery) was listed as out.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Saturday, when they face the Spurs at AT&T Center in San Antonio. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. (PDT).
