This time, the Mavericks held on in the final minutes. After four defeats in their last five games in matches decided by a maximum of three points, Dallas won at the last minute against the Thunder. And this, despite the loss of Luka Doncic, injured in the knee. The reward for a well-played match, in particular for exploiting the current limits of Oklahoma City, without a real professional interior.
The first quarter immediately set the tone, with PJ Washington unleashed for his return to the starting five after his injury. He scored eight of his team's first eleven points, which started with 4/4 shooting, including 3/3 from long distance (2-11). The Thunder responds with the talent of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the shooters around him. But OKC leaves points on the way to free throws, and above all is already suffering on the rebound.
Mark Daigneault's players are back on track, but in the rotation game, it is Dallas who is doing the best with a pass from Jaden Hardy to end the first quarter.
The second act is more in line with the Thunder's habits after the first 12 minutes all fired up in attack. The address is no longer there on either side, but Oklahoma City cannot completely extinguish the Mavericks. Jason Kidd's band presses where it hurts, between the size advantage of Daniel Gafford on the offensive rebound (6 at the break), or the weakness of circle protection to stack shots.
OKC believed in it until the end
If Klay Thompson is in a bad evening, the Mavericks coach can count on his entire rotation, which is very present all evening. There are still eight Dallas players to score in the third quarter, with Kyrie Irving in control. Opposite, the trio “SGA” – Lu Dort – Jalen Williams struggles to reduce the gap from -10 to -2… before Kyrie Irving scores seven points in one minute to immediately calm the improvement.
The Mavericks think they will take off with a good first half of the fourth quarter thanks to Spencer Dinwiddie to increase the gap to +14 (98-112 with six minutes to play).
But the problems at the end of the match are not resolved in Dallas. Jalen Williams scored three 3-point baskets in three minutes and OKC trailed by only five points with three minutes remaining. PJ Washington and Kyrie Irving think they have done the hardest part to repel the blow but the Mavericks then remain speechless for four possessions for three lost balls. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can be the hero with the winning shot to return to -3, the interception on Irving, then the voluntarily missed free throw which falls into the hands of Lu Dort, but the Canadian misses his winning basket in the buzzer.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Without rebound, no salvation for the Thunder. Without Chet Holmgren, OKC's plan was simple, accept being dominated near the rim, but force a ton of turnovers to limit the number of possessions. This Sunday, it was a failure, as the Mavs were so careful, with the exception of “money time”. And by winning the rebound 53-29 (18 offensive holds, for 22 defensive ones by the locals), they knew how to exploit the opportunity.
– PJ Washington, “unlikely” hero. He hadn't had better than 17 points and 11 rebounds so far this season. But the former Hornets player had a big night with a career best thanks to his 17 rebounds and welcome aggression. Behind him, it was all the Mavericks who took over in the absence of Luka Doncic, with seven players at 10 points or more.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
