A clash in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals between the third seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the number six Dallas Mavericks.

OKC's chances of returning to the Finals for the first time in five years will be largely determined by how high Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook can rise this spring,and the two superstars would aim to give the Mavs a healthy taste of their 1-2 punch in the opener.

The capacity crowd is pumped up ahead of tip-off in OKC.

And they're liking what they see in the first quarter, as Durant drives in for the hoop and the harm. His free throw would put the hosts up 13.

Then it's Westbrook's turn to attack the paint as he blows past everybody for the lay-up. That increases Oklahoma City's advantage to 14, with just under three minutes left on the clock in the opening period of this contest.

The Mavs fight back by turning to Dirk Nowitzki, as the German drains two of his 18 points, but they've got a long way to go.

The Thunder continue to dominate as Durant finds Enes Kanter for the bucket and-one. The big Turk with 16 points and 13 rebounds off the pine.

Oklahoma city 108 - Dallas 70

They go outside later in the second Q, as Serge Ibaka strikes for three of his 17 points. The forward would also grab nine rebounds,and block three shots by players from Big D.

Durant would flash his range from outside the arc as well. The former league MVP on his way to 23 points on the evening.

The Slim Reaper later spots Westbrook wide open, and he swishes in the trey from way downtown. Game-high 24 points for Westbrook, and OKC takes a 1-0 lead in the series.

In Saturday's other action, Steph Curry scored 24 points to lead the defending champions and top seeded Golden State Warriors past the Houston Rockets in their Western opener. In the East, Paul George poured in 33 points as seventh seeds Indiana upset number two Toronto in Game One of their series and Atlanta held off a late rally to edge Boston.