The Dallas Mavericks picked up an enormous 121-115 victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Thursday evening. That is Dallas’ third win of the season towards the Western Convention-dominating Thunder, and all three wins got here with out Luka Doncic, they usually have been capable of come away with this victory regardless of lacking seven gamers.
This sport modified when Lu Dort was ejected for a flagrant foul on Daniel Gafford, which allowed the Mavs to take a double-digit lead. From there, it was about defending the lead as a lot as potential. OKC took a one-possession lead a number of occasions within the fourth quarter, however Spencer Dinwiddie’s key performs made the massive distinction down the stretch.
Dallas desperately wanted this win as they tried to remain afloat till Doncic returns in a couple of weeks (hopefully). Listed here are three takeaways from this huge victory.
READ MORE: Depleted Mavericks Upset Thunder in OKC, 121-115, Win Season Sequence
With this victory, Dallas gained the season sequence towards the Thunder 3-1. PJ Washington was energetic for 3 of 4 video games; you wish to guess which of them? He averaged 21.3 PPG, 14.3 RPG and three.3 APG in his three video games towards OKC this season, capped by a 22-point, 19-rebound (ought to have been 20) efficiency on Thursday evening. OKC is now 36-8 this season, with three of these losses coming to a Mavericks group with out Luka Doncic. They’re 7-2 on the second evening of a row, with each losses coming towards the Doncic-less Mavs. Dallas is actually OKC’s kryptonite, however their lead over second place within the West is similar because the distinction between second and ninth place. With the accidents the Mavs have been coping with, these two might get a crash course for an electrical first playoff run.
Dallas will not win this sport with out gamers like Brandon Williams, Kessler Edwards and, extra particularly, Olivier-Maxence Prosper. These three in all probability would not have performed in any respect if Dallas had been absolutely wholesome, however they performed an enormous position for the Mavs. Edwards performed glorious protection towards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in his first begin as a Maverick, Williams helped spark some power along with his ball dealing with, and Prosper’s relentlessness on the glass and in transition helped. makes all of the distinction.
Oklahoma Metropolis is one of the best group within the NBA at forcing turnovers, and it was no totally different Thursday evening, as they pressured 20 turnovers in Dallas. These 20 turnovers became 20 OKC factors, a below-average mark. The Mavericks overcame this by frequently stepping into the paint and to the free throw line, scoring 46 factors within the paint and going 29/36 on the charity stripe. That is the way you beat nice groups.
READ MORE: Mavericks-Thunder rivalry reaches new heights with key participant ejected
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