On May 14, Beijing time, NBA playoffs Western Conference semifinals G4, Mavericks (2) home vs Thunder (1). The two teams started the same lineup, Mavericks: Doncic, Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Gafford Thunder starters: Alexander, Giddey, Dort, Jalen Williams, Holmgren.
In the first three games of the series, Giddey made 1-of-8 three-pointers, and he was reduced to a fake starter, playing only 41 minutes in the three games. The sun rises in the east and rains in the west, and Washington erupts on the Lone Ranger's side! In the first three games of the series, Washington averaged 22 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2 assists per game, shooting 14-of-26 from three-point range and shooting 53.8% from three-point range.
Speaking of today's game, Dort had 2 fouls in the opening 3 minutes, and the Thunder was reluctant to replace him, after all, they still had to guard against Doncic. The Mavericks started the game 14-6 and Gafford was very aggressive, scoring back-to-back baskets. Giddey was so miserable, first being "hatted" by Derrick Jones Jr., and then throwing an outrageous three-shot from mid-range.
A floor ball, two or three players of the Mavericks to fight! In the first quarter, the Mavericks rebounded 4-1 in the frontcourt and blocked 3-1, and their positivity beat the Thunder. Exum Iron Tree blossomed, scoring five points on 2-of-2 shooting in the first quarter, and he combined for just five points in the first three games of the series. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks led by a full 10 points at 30-20, and the Thunder shot 0 of 6 three-pointers.
The good news: Giddey finally scored three points in the second quarter. The bad news: He was the only one to shoot from the ground for the Thunder, making 1-of-11 three-pointers for the team in the first half. With four minutes left in the second quarter, Irving scored his first goal of the game, and by this time he had already dished out seven assists. In this year's playoffs, Irving often led his teammates in the first half and took over the game in the second half.
The Mavericks shot 9-of-21 from three-point range in the first half, shooting 42.9 percent from three-point range. At halftime, the Mavericks led by 11 points at 54-43. Wait, 8 more three-pointers, how can you only lead by 11 points? The Mavericks made too many turnovers, giving the Thunder 10 points with seven turnovers at halftime. Alexander scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in the half, and Washington had 11 points and four rebounds.
Isaiah Joe started in place of Giddey in the second half, and Washington continued to hit from the perimeter, making him the Mavericks' Big Three in the series. In the third quarter, the overall offensive efficiency of the Mavericks was very low, and the whole team scored only 7 points in the first half of the quarter. Doncic had a cold hand and scored just four goals from his first 15 shots. Washington scored 9 points in a single quarter, and the Mavericks as a team scored 15 points in a single quarter.
The Thunder frantically pinched Irving, slowly closing in on the point difference. At the end of the third quarter, the Thunder trailed by only five points at 65-69. In the final quarter, Holmgren hit a three-pointer, and Lively dunked back. Washington screamed frantically, and Lively thought to himself: I dunked the ball, and X made you load. The game was white-hot, and in the last 6 minutes of the final quarter, the Thunder trailed by 4 points.
Alexander made an indiscriminate mid-range jumper and the Thunder tied it in the final four minutes. Holmgren and Dort hit three-pointers, and Jay broke through in a row, and the Thunder led by five points in the final minute. Jones hit a dunk in the air, and the Thunder led by two points with 12.3 seconds. Doncic made a kill and made 1 of 2 free throws. The two teams started a penalty shootout, and Washington also made 1 of 2 free throws.
In 3.2 seconds, the Thunder led by 2 points, had the ball, and neither side took a timeout! The Mavericks continued to foul, and the game ended, and the Thunder defeated the Mavericks 100-96, and the two sides fought to a 2-2 draw. Doncic was 6-of-20 from the field, scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 turnovers, and missed free throws at critical moments. Irving was 1-of-5 from the field in the final quarter and finished with nine points and nine assists.
The Thunder completed a 14-point comeback, and Alexander had 34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 0 turnovers, fighting from the first quarter to the last quarter. Alexander's 14 goals in this game were all jump shots, and the NBA's new generation of jump shots was born! At 9:30 a.m. Beijing time on May 16, the Battle of Tianwang Mountain will return to the home court of the Thunder.
Finally, take a look at the stats of other players and tell us how you feel: