DFW News App

By Rashad Miller

The Dallas Mavericks started the second round of the NBA Playoffs this Tuesday in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. The matchup would showcase two teams led by MVP candidates, OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas’ Luka Doncic.

Paycom Arena would live up to its ‘Loud City’ moniker as the young OKC would have a strong first half leading the Mavericks 62-53 to end the half. The Mavs fought hard to come back, even bringing the game within a point, but they were no match for No. 1 seed Thunder. In the 4th quarter, the Mavs would be outscored 28-16 and the Mavs were defeated 117-95.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder in points, rebounds, and assists with a stat line of 29 points and 9 rebounds and assists. He would tell the media after the game that he just, “play[s] [his] game and however it goes is however it goes” and he “just go[es] out there, try to attack the rim, take what the defense gives [him]”.

Thursday, the Mavs had a strong 7-0 start and never let their feet off the gas. Led by Luka Doncic and a bloody left knee, the Slovenian superstar put up a stat line of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead the Mavs to their 119-10 victory, tying the series at one a piece. Doncic said that Game 2 “was one of the hardest games” he had to play and was trying to do his best to “help the team win”.

P.J. Washington Jr. would also have a playoff career high 29 points and 11 rebounds in his 40 minutes of play. Washington Jr. said to even up the series, “means everything just to be able to come [to Oklahoma City] and get a win. Obviously, playing here is tough. [The Thunder are] one of the best teams in the league, so just to come out here and get a win and obviously play [well] feels amazing”.

The bench also helped the Mavs in their victory led by Tim Hardaway Jr. who had 17 points off the bench including an incredible 4-point play. Coach Jason Kidd would say that he, “thought Timmy being able to make shots for us and then Josh [Green] coming up with the 50-50 balls and his energy, I thought [that] was great, and [Dereck Lively II]’s energy was positive. A lot of positive things that we can build on and we’re going to need for Saturday afternoon.”

The Saturday matinee would see the Mavs have a strong start, leading the Thunder with as much as.7 points to start off the first quarter as they returned to the American Airlines Center for Game 3 .’Physicality’ is a word that has been used throughout the later part of the season and in the postseason and it was on full display throughout the game. Fresh off his playoff highs in points and from the last game, P.J. Washington Jr. would have 11 points in the first quarter alone.

The second half would see Oklahoma City go on a run but the Mavs would come back to lead the Thunder 82-78 going into the final quarter of the game. The final twelve minutes were a back and forth between the teams to start the quarter until Kyrie Irving went on an 8-point run. Momentum stayed on the Mavs’ side as they defeated the Thunder, 105-101. Washington led in points with 27 while the backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had 22 points each.

After the game, Luka Doncic, who has battled injuries throughout the season and this postseason said that it’s his back this time, but that his injuries are “the least of [his] problems” as he will continue to play through the pain and that he’ll “be better in two days”. Doncic also praised Washington Jr.’s recent play in this series by saying that Washington is, “being aggressive, shooting with confidence” and that the team “believe[s] in him”.

The Mavs have one more game at the American Airlines Center before they head back to Oklahoma on Monday, May 13th @ 8:30PM/CST on ESPN.

Follow Rashad Miller on all social media @theuncoolurban for more sports content as well as his Youtube channel under the same name.

The post Mavs Lead 2-1 against Thunder in Western Conference Semis appeared first on Dallas Weekly.