Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks choked on free practice this Monday and his 12 of 23 ended up being decisive for the 100-96 loss suffered at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who tied the series 2-2 second round of the NBA Western playoffs and regained home field advantage.
Despite a triple double of 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists from Doncic, the Mavericks blew a 14-point lead and sunk in the second half against a spectacular Shai Gilgeous Alexander, who led the Thunder’s comeback with 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line. They were precisely Shai’s free ones in closing the curtain in Dallas. His Thunder connected on 23 of the 24 free kicks thrown and that figure collided with the Mavericks’ modest 12 of 23.
After losing two consecutive games, one in Oklahoma City and the other in Dallas, the Thunder reacted with a momentous victory to stop the Mavericks who had gained momentum and who seemed to have found a way to contain Gilgeous Alexander. Because the Texans were in control of the game from the beginning and contained their rivals’ star with an aggressive defense that prevented him from showing his best version in the first half.
But Gilgeous Alexander raised the level in the second half and led the Thunder with some amazing mid-range baskets, one of his specialties. He was supported by 18 points and 9 rebounds from Chet Holmgren, 17 points and 8 rebounds from Lunguentz Dort and 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals from an unstoppable Jalen Williams.
The Thunder took advantage in the 89-86 after a 9-0 run and precisely a robbery by Williams from Tim Hardaway gave them five margin in the 96-91. Doncic, with an alley-oop to Derrick Jones Jr., closed his fifth triple double in the playoffs and had the opportunity to tie the game from the free throw line. He made one of two and the Thunder took advantage of it to defend a momentous away victory.
Doncic’s triple double was not enough for the Mavericks, in which Kyrie Irving had a lackluster night with 9 points and 9 assists. PJ Washington continued to shine with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 triples, while Derrick Jones contributed 17 points.
Mavericks and Thunder, tied at two in the series, will meet again this Wednesday in Dallas in the fifth game of a series that will have at least one more chapter. The winner of this series will face one between the Denver Nuggets, reigning NBA champions, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are also tied 2-2. In the East, the Boston Celtics are leading 3-1 in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are tied 2-2 with the Indiana Pacers.
2024-05-14 04:58:22
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