Timely Stephen Curry scoring helps Warriors defeat Mavericks

Stephen Curry lost a personal scoring duel with Cooper Flagg in their first head-to-head, but joined with Gary Payton II to stall a late Dallas rally as the Golden State Warriors held off the Mavericks 126-116 as part of the NBA's Christmas Day card Thursday afternoon in San Francisco.

Flagg went for a game-high 27 points and Brandon Williams added 26 for the Mavericks, who lost Anthony Davis for the rest of the game after he experienced right groin spasms in the fourth minute of the second quarter. He finished with three points, three rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes.

Curry led the Warriors with 23 points in Golden State's 13th consecutive appearance in the NBA holiday showcase.

The Warriors used 11 first-half 3-pointers as the foundation for a 71-point flurry that gave them a lead they never relinquished.

But when the hosts connected just once from deep in their first 18 second-half attempts, the Mavericks closed within 110-104 with 4:28 to play.

Payton then converted a Draymond Green pass into his momentum-swinging dunk and Curry bombed in a 26-footer on Golden State's next possession, reopening a double-digit lead with 3:45 left.

Opening a three-game trip after a thrilling home win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, the Mavericks got no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Curry's late 3-pointer was just his second success in 10 tries. He used a 9-for-9 effort at the free throw line to help build his point total.

The Warriors offered plenty of support, including 14 points from Al Horford, who was playing for the first time since Dec. 6 while he dealt with a sciatic issue in his back. Horford made four 3-pointers, all in Golden State's first-half run.

DeAnthony Melton chipped in with 16 points, Jimmy Butler III 14, Brandin Podziemski 13, Moses Moody 12 and Trayce Jackson-Davis 10 for Golden State, which equaled its longest winning streak of the season with a third straight victory.

Butler also found time for nine rebounds and nine assists, both team-highs.

Golden State finished 14 for 50 on 3-pointers, outscoring the Mavericks 42-12 from deep. Dallas made just four of its 14 from beyond the arc.

Flagg shot 13 for 21 and had one of Dallas' four 3-pointers. He also collected six rebounds and a team-high five assists.

P.J. Washington had a game-high 10 rebounds to go with 14 points for the Mavericks, while Naji Marshall also totaled 14 points and Max Christie 13.

--Field Level Media