In the just-concluded Western Conference semifinals, the Thunder fought hard in the fourth quarter on the road, and finally reversed the Mavericks 100-96, leveling the series to 2-2 and refusing to fall behind 1-3.
In this game, the Mavericks continued the momentum of the past two games after the opening, showing a tough offense and defense in the first quarter, opening a double-digit lead early, and in the third quarter, the Mavericks once led by 14 points, but the Thunder struggled to chase the points under the leadership of Alexander, and chased the point difference to single digits after the third quarter.
In the final quarter of the game, the Thunder stubbornly chased under the leadership of Alexander, and at the critical moment, other teammates also woke up and stepped up, with 3 minutes and 20 seconds left, with Holmgren's open 3-point shot, the Thunder achieved an 89-86 lead, after which they firmly grasped the lead and refused to give up the victory in hand.
In the full-court statistics, Alexander contributed 34 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists on the Thunder side, and when his teammates were not in good shape, he used accurate shots again and again to help the team bite the score. Ludolt contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds, including 8 points in the final quarter, and Holmgren had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jalen Williams contributed 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
On the Mavericks' side, Doncic and Irving rarely pulled their hips on the offensive end at the same time, and the two combined only scored 27 points, PJ Washington contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Jones had 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Doncic was not in ideal shape for this game, shooting only 6 of 19, 2 of 8 three-pointers, getting 18 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, and the last ten seconds are expected to tie the score of two free throws and 1 of 2 free throws, Irving is 4 of 11 shots, with 9 points and 9 assists. It's hard to imagine that Doncic and Irving's scores are so low, and the Mavericks' style of play is extremely dependent on the backcourt duo, and it is understandable that one of them attacks and pulls his hips, but it is very difficult for both of them to pull their hips at the same time.
The Thunder reborn on the road, completing a 14-point comeback to avoid returning home from a 1-3 deficit, it can be said that this game was very crucial and directly changed the trend of the series.
And this young new team that is the first in the West also showed the advantage of youth again, the whole game, the team used an 11-man rotation, although the front played hard, but in the fourth quarter of the critical moment, the physical advantage was undoubtedly displayed, the team used their young and more dynamic performance, alive to take away a vital victory on the road, once again showed their potential.