Warriors 100, Mavericks 97
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Klay Thompson poured in 27 points and Andrew Bogut blocked Brandan Wright's short hook shot with 5.5 seconds remaining as the Golden State Warriors held off the Dallas Mavericks 100-97 Thursday night in a game played without Stephen Curry and Dirk Nowitzki.
Down one and going for what could have been a game-winning hoop, the Mavericks got the ball to the left-handed Wright on the low left block in the final seconds.
After initially pondering a pass, the former Warrior spun to his left and attempted a 6-footer over Bogut, but the Golden State center smothered it before it left Wright's hand.
Jarrett Jack was fouled and made two clinching free throws with two seconds left. Vince Carter's desperation buzzer-beating 3-point heave was off the mark, dealing Dallas (19-27) its second narrow defeat in three nights on the West Coast.
The last time the Warriors (29-17) faced the Mavericks, Thompson missed 12 of his 14 shots and totaled just seven points. But he picked up right where he left off Tuesday in Cleveland, where he buried 13 of 24, including six 3-pointers, in a season-best 32-point explosion.
The second-year Warrior nearly duplicated the feat against the Mavericks, scorching the visitors for all 27 points in the first three quarters. He missed just three of his 14 shots.
The win was the Warriors' third in a row since losing Curry to a sprained ankle last week. He's expected to return soon, perhaps as early as Saturday against the Phoenix Suns.
Curry's absence was no surprise. Nowitzki, on the other hand, was a late scratch with a strained right adductor muscle in his right leg. The injury occurred late in Tuesday's loss at Portland, a game in which he poured in 26 points.
Nowitzki was optimistic about being able to return at the club's morning shootaround in Oakland on Thursday, but he didn't feel comfortable enough to play after testing it about an hour before the game. He hopes to be healthy for the Mavericks' game at Phoenix on Friday.
In a game that tested both teams' depth, the Warriors responded to a 9-0 run that ended the third quarter with a 12-point flurry of their own to open the fourth. That extended a one-point lead to 92-79 en route to their 29th win of the season.
Richard Jefferson had a three-point play and Carl Landry had a key block on Carter at the rim to highlight the key sequence, which also included a technical foul on Carter, who objected to rookie Draymond Green's loud celebration to the rejection.
Dallas didn't give up, however, holding Golden State to just one field goal -- a 3-pointer by Jack -- the rest of the way.
The Mavericks had a chance to tie with 43 seconds left, but O.J. Mayo missed the second of two free throws, allowing Golden State to retain a 98-97 lead.
After Jack misfired from outside and David Lee couldn't convert a tip, Dallas had its final shot at a win, but Bogut rejected Wright to seal it.
Lee finished with a season-best 20 rebounds to complement 15 points for the Warriors. Bogut, playing 25 minutes, had eight points, five rebounds and three blocks.
Mayo led Dallas with 25 points and Carter totaled 22. Shawn Marion added an 18-point, 17-rebound double-double.
The win pushed Golden State, currently the No. 5 team in the Western Conference standings, a full 10 games ahead of the Mavericks, who have made the playoffs the last 12 seasons. The Warriors, on the other hand, have missed the postseason five years in a row and 17 of the last 18.
NOTES: Addressing his lack of concern over Curry's injury before the game, Warriors coach Mark Jackson said, "If it were a playoff game or a must-win, Stephen Curry would be in uniform tonight." ... The Warriors are planning to play Bogut only once in back-to-backs at least through the All-Star break. Golden State has two such sequences on the road next week: Houston-Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Wednesday and Memphis-Dallas on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9. ... The Mavericks' Chris Kaman did not accompany the team on its three-game Western swing after suffering a concussion in practice Monday. The trip concludes Friday night at Phoenix. ... Warriors rookie Harrison Barnes and Thompson were among 18 players named to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on NBA All-Star Weekend. No Maverick was selected. ... Dallas coach Rick Carlisle entered the game needing two wins to become the 28th in NBA history to reach 500. ... The Warriors recorded their 12th consecutive sellout, equaling their longest streak in 16 years.
