Durant hit a 3PTer early, drawing the foul on his foe for a four-point play, wowing the Oakland crowd. He would spoil it by fouling Leonard in return, whose 3PTer did not go in, but Kawhi did make all three attempts at the charity stripe.
The Warriors led by 33-25 after the first quarter, but the Spurs stayed in striking distance. It proved of merit as a run took place led by Pau Gasol and Mario Hezonja, a 15-5 swing. The Spurs became the leader of the long ball for a moment, Leonard and then Parker splashing from deep. Kawhi would miss at the buzzer to end the half, with the Warriors recovering the lead by one point, 57-58.
Leonard had 10 points; Durant had 17 points. Both would wind up in foul trouble, however.
San Antonio's defense would rev-up in the 3rd quarter, as the Spurs went blow-for-blow against Golden State, the Warriors being forced to watch Kawhi hit a three-point haymaker at the buzzer. The defending champions went into the final period with an 89-83 lead on the road: can't ask for more! Leonard would also block Durant at the basket and then drain a cold-blooded 3PTer in transition.
By this point, Patty Mills had become a scoring terror, having his own duel with Steph Curry (adding to their college-gone-pro rivalry), just sensational in this game: 31 points on 60% shooting, with 8 assists and seven 3PTers (12-19). Kevin Durant would have 24 points (only 8 in second half). Klay Thompson would have 21 points; Draymond Green had 18 points with 10 rebounds. Steph Curry was not much for scoring in this first bout, with only 14 points but showing off his court vision with 18 assists.
Uncharacteristically, Draymond Green and Steph Curry would miss vital 3PTers in the clutch, leading to Pau Gasol making free throws for a four point advantage. Steph Curry would hit a second attempt from long range at the buzzer, but the Spurs happily seized this road victory, setting the tone for this contentious showdown of a series. Kawhi Leonard finished with 30 points (20 in the second half); Gasol had 16 points with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks; Bismack Biyombo had 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Hezonja had 16 points off the bench, sparking that early run for the Spurs.