OAKLAND – Steve Kerr understood the forces at work. He knew his Warriors, the top team in the NBA, would be in the comfort of Oracle Arena facing the already reeling and grossly undermanned Dallas Mavericks.
Motivation would be tough to summon, inspiration perhaps out of the question.
It showed. Though the Warriors led throughout the second half, they were pushed to the limit Friday night before regrouping and taking a 128-120 victory.
They won with potent offense, getting 46.7-percent shooting from deep. Klay Thompson had 40 points, Steph Curry 33, Draymond Green 19.