OAKLAND -- Slapped around for most of the game and falling behind by 25, the Warriors woke up in the second half Sunday to snatch a 113-11 victory from San Antonio in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant combined for 74 points to spur the offense, while Zaza Pachulia added 11 as the Warriors sent the Oracle Arena crowd home happy.
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But it was the defense that fed the comeback, forcing seven San Antonio turnovers in the third quarter, leading to 11 points for the Warriors. They then held the Spurs to 33.3-percent shooting from the field in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors outrebounded the Spurs 43-37 and outshot them 48.1 percent to 47.6 percent. The Warriors scored 31 points off 19 San Antonio turnovers, the Spurs 28 points of 19 Warriors giveaways.
Spurs star Kawhi Leonard aggravated an ankle sprain in the third quarter and left the game. He 26 points in 24 minutes, while LaMarcus Aldridge topped San Antonio scorers with 28 points.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
This was, pure and simple, a Curry-Durant production.
Golden State Warriors
Curry’s line: 40 points (14-of-26 shooting from the field, 7-of-16 from deep, 5-of-7 from the line), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. He played 39 minutes and finished plus-8.
Durant’s line: 34 points (11-of-20, 2-8, 10-12), five rebounds, four assists and four blocks. He played 39 minutes and finished plus-14.
TURNING POINT:
After Leonard left the game with 7:53 left in the third quarter and San Antonio holding a 78-55 lead, the Warriors pounced, going on an 18-0 run to close to 78-73 on a Durant dunk with 4:27 left.
That was enough to make the game competitive for the first time since the opening minute, with the Warriors taking the lead on a Durant dunk with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter. The Warriors outscored the Spurs 32-21 in the quarter.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala was diagnosed with a sore left knee after Game 1. F Kevon Looney (L hip strain) was listed as out.
Spurs: F Kawhi Leonard aggravated a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and was out for the remainder of the game. G Tony Parker (L quadriceps tendon surgery) was listed as out.
WHAT’S NEXT:
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is set for 6pm.