Golden State Warriors' Coach Steve Kerr recently came out and talked about the mental and emotional drain that reaching three straight NBA Finals can have on players. It's a problem any team would love to have (Kerr wasn't complaining), but he's one of the few former players in NBA history with the experience to speak to this 'problem.' Not only did Kerr win three straight championships as a valuable role player on Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, but he played in the Finals the next year as well when he won a fourth ring with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Warriors have a talent of riches on their roster, so as long as they're healthy they'll remain the favorite to win the NBA championship. But they have gotten off to a slow start this season and did so again tonight against the Spurs. Golden State went a span of 6:44 in the first quarter, scoring just three points as San Antonio built a 31-12 lead. But like the Warriors tend to do, they went on a run and reduced the deficit to nine by the end of the period.

The Spurs aren't anywhere close to a full-strength without Kawhi Leonard. But they played the Warriors tough and held on to a 55-50 lead at halftime.

However, it was all Golden State in the second-half. The Warriors went on an immediate third quarter scoring binge. And after tying the game 57-57, they grabbed the lead at the10:08 mark with a three-pointer by Kevin Durant. Taking an 84-78 lead into the fourth quarter, Golden State extended the margin to double digits before cruising to a 20-point victory.

Warriors Game MVP

Kevin Durant started the game 0-8 from field, which contributed heavily to the Warriors' awful start. But as Durant found his shooting stroke (making nine of his next 10 shots), the Warriors upped their game and dominated the Spurs after intermission. With his 24 points, he didn't lead the Warriors scoring, but was highly effective on the other end of the floor, blocking three shots and altering a number of others.

He also hauled in eight rebounds and dished out five assists.

Rest of Warriors' starters

Staying healthy is the major obstacle facing the Warriors in their quest for back-to-back championships. And every Golden State fan held their collective breath when they saw how Pau Gasol awkwardly fell onto Stephen Curry's ankle.

Other than a cringe and initial limp, Curry was fine. He finished the game with 21 points on 7-13 shooting and was 3-4 from the three-point line.

While it took a while for Durant to find the hot hand, Klay Thompson had it from tip-off. Thompson shot 11-17 and knocked down 5-7 from deep, on his way to team-high 27 points. Draymond Green played his typical all-around game. In addition to his stellar defense, Green had 16 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.

ZaZa Pachulia chipped in four points and three rebounds.

Warriors' bench

The Warriors' starters did much of the scoring damage versus the Spurs, but Andre Iguodala, David West, Shawn Livingston, Patrick McCaw, and Jordan Bell all got at least 12 minutes of run. McCaw had the top stat line off-the-bench with nine points and two assists.

Final thoughts

After the loss to Golden State tonight, the San Antonio Spurs dropped to 4-4 on the season. They just don't have the offensive firepower to hang with some of the upper echelon teams until Leonard's return. Until he's back, expect the Spurs to remain a .500 team. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs tonight with 24 points and 10 rebounds.