JIMMY Butler had a triumphant home debut as Golden State Warriors clobbered Dallas Mavericks, 126-102, in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
Butler, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade from Miami Heat during the trade deadline, finished with 18 points, five assists, three rebounds, one steal, and a block as the Warriors won five of its last six matches for a 30-27 mark.
Stephen Curry led the way with 30 points, including 16 in the third quarter, Brandin Podziemski had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Moses Moody, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post had 14, 13, and 10 points, respectively.
After the Mavericks scored nine of the game’s first 13 points, the Warriors caught fire offensively as they established a 33-18 margin by the end of the opening quarter.
The Mavericks were within 47-61 after Klay Thompson nailed a 3-pointer in the first minute of the second half, but then Curry waxed hot offensively as the Warriors pulled away for good.
Kyrie Irving and P.J. Washington finished with 17 points apiece to pace the Mavericks, while Thompson added 11 markers as they saw their three-game winning run snapped to drop to a 31-27 record.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton’s 29-point, 12-assist double-double led a balanced offensive effort as Indiana Pacers secured a dominant 129-111 victory over Los Angeles Clippers in Indianapolis.
Seven Pacers scored in double figures, including 19 points from Aaron Nesmith and 17 from Myles Turner. Pascal Siakam posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Andrew Nembhard collected 12 points.
The Pacers weathered a strong start from James Harden, who had a game-high 31 points, a team-high 11 assists and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds in the game.
Ivica Zubac added 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor, Amir Coffey scored 14 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 11 points off the bench./PN
BOX SCORE:
GOLDEN STATE 126 — Curry 30, Butler 18, Podziemski 17, Moody 14, Green 13, Post 10, Looney 7, Santos 5, Knox 4, Payton 3, Hield 3, Collins 2, Spencer 0.
DALLAS 102 — Irving 17, Washington 17, Thompson 11, Hardy 11, Marshall 9, Prosper 7, Brown 7, Edwards 6, Exum 5, Williams 5, Dinwiddie 3, Christie 2, Kelley 2.
Quarterscores: 33-18; 61-44; 100-75; 126-102.
