Disappointing in Game 1, Luka Doncic put the Mavericks into orbit from the first minutes (13-2). The Slovenian scores 16 points at 4/5 from 3-point range but OKC hangs on. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) and Jaylin Williams allow them to stay in ambush (36-32).
The awakening of Jalen Williams (20 points) brings the Thunder back to -1, but PJ Washington (29 points, 7/11 at 3-points, 11 rebounds) is back. After his 3/3 3-pointers in the first quarter, he added two new shots from distance to launch a 14-2 for Dallas (55-41)! Pushed by their audience, the Oklahoma City players responded with a 15-4 behind the skill of Isaiah Joe and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (59-56). It took a 3-pointer from Josh Green (11 points) in the final seconds of the first half to keep Dallas in the lead (68-62).
Dallas lets the storm pass
The Thunder continued their momentum by starting the third quarter with a 13-4, finished with two 3-pointers from Chet Homlgren (11 points, 4/12 shooting, 6 assists, 6 rebounds) and Lu Dort to move into head (75-72). The Mavericks, however, let the storm pass and moved forward. Despite a Doncic – Irving duo at 2/8 in the quarter, it was Tim Hardaway Jr. (17 points), author of ten points, two new 3-pointers from PJ Washington, and an iron defense which allowed them to inflict a 27-10 on their opponent to regain a 14-point lead (99-85)!
With their backs against the wall, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams revive OKC. A 10-0 straddling the last two periods brings them back to -4 (99-95). But as since the start of the match, it is the duo Luka Doncic – PJ Washington which allows Dallas to kill the match and take home advantage before returning to Texas for the next two matches!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander respond blow for blow. Second and third in the votes for the MVP, Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander engaged in a magnificent duel last night. Dominated by the Thunder star and the OKC defense during Game 1, Luka Doncic set the tone by scoring 16 of his 29 points in the first quarter. Having struggled with his shooting since the start of the Playoffs, Doncic was effective in Game 2, finishing 11/21 on shots and 5/8 on 3-pointers. He also added 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Opposite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, 13/24 shots, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists but his performance was not sufficient.
– PJ Washington and the details that made the difference for Dallas. Despite Kyrie Irving being limited to 9 points on 2/8 shots, with 11 assists, the Mavs needed a new lieutenant behind Luka Doncic. It's time for PJ Washington to sign a 7/11 3-pointer to score 29 points, his record in the playoffs, and grab 11 rebounds! Besides Washington, the Mavs were also able to count on 17 points from Tim Hardaway Jr., and 11 points from Josh Green. Jason Kidd's men finished the match at 18/37 from 3-point range to make the difference. They also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored 18 points on OKC's 10 turnovers. Everything worked out for the Mavs last night!
– The Thunder abandoned by its address. Not content with having played the right notes on offense, the Mavericks also put out a high-level performance on defense. The Thunder never found their rhythm and finished the match at 33% at 3-points, including 4/14 in the second half. Marc Daigneault also made a strong choice by limiting Josh Giddey to three minutes of play after the break, after the Australian finished the first half with a +/- of -14. Aaron Wiggins started the second half in his place. Keep an eye out for the rest of the series.
