NBA Playoffs Recap: Thunder Stun Mavericks, Celtics Edge Cavaliers

Dallas Mavericks – Oklahoma City Thunder : 96-100

• Both teams are tied 2-2

And the Dallas crowd fell silent. While the Mavericks seemed in an excellent position to clinch a third victory in a row in this series, and thus lead 3 sets to 1, the Thunder raised the tone on defense in the last seven minutes by passing a 25-14 to achieve the hold -up and leave Texas with the victory, all in front of a crowd suddenly much less noisy and just as paralyzed as their favorite players in attack.

Dallas, a team which nevertheless has two elite finishers with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, did not find solutions against the opposing defense in money time. Both the Slovenian and the American missed several attempts in the heated moments of the match. They were generally clumsy throughout the game: 19 points at 6 out of 20 for Doncic, still author of 12 rebounds and 10 assists, and 9 small points at 4 out of 11 (with 9 assists) for Irving.

Holmgren valuable to support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City’s comeback by setting the tone on both ends of the floor. The Canadian superstar scored 34 points (his record in the playoffs), including 10 in the fourth quarter, with also 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 interceptions and 2 blocks. Chet Holmgren added 18 points, with some very important three-pointers in the mix. He also blocked four shots.

The Mavericks will perhaps have the feeling of having blown a cartridge. They lost at home while leading by 11 points at the break. The Thunder only converted 38% of its attempts and 26% of its outside shots but Mark Daigneault’s players still won by relying on their defense. Game 5 in Oklahoma City promises to be hot and the youngest team still in the race will have the opportunity to take a decisive advantage in front of their home crowd.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Boston Celtics : 102-109

• Boston leads the series 3-1

The Celtics have the unfortunate tendency to have won a game before even stepping on the court. This is how they were surprised by the Heat and the Cavaliers during Game 2 of each series. Joe Mazzulla’s players obviously knew the desire for the match played last night but they could feel confident before facing a Cleveland team deprived of its superstar Donovan Mitchell (and Jarrett Allen). Boston took control after 12 minutes (30-37)… and then relaxed.

They stayed in front but the Cavs made them doubt until the final buzzer. It was only on a three-pointer from Jaylen Brown 1 minute from the end that the Celtics finally broke away for good. The All-Star guard scored 27 points. Jayson Tatum added 33. The scoring duo generally made the difference in the last two meetings of this series.

Boston can now finish off Cleveland in Game 5, which will take place in Massachusetts. Unless the Celtics arrive too confident once again. Mitchell, who averages 30 points in these playoffs, could once again be missing.

2024-05-14 05:12:04
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