In G4 of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Mavericks led all night, but were overturned in the last 60 seconds! In the end, the score was 2-2, and a great opportunity to miss 3-1 was missed!
Throughout the history of the NBA, teams that get 3-1 match points in the playoffs have a 74.2% chance of qualifying!
The Mavericks made 11-of-23 free throws in the game, and if the team made two more free throws, or Doncic didn't miss that one free throw in the last 10.1 seconds, maybe the Mavericks would have won and crossed the Western Conference threshold with half a foot.
Unfortunately, there is no if......
The Eastern European team was the biggest culprit in the loss of this game, failing the team's defense all night, and living up to PJ Washington (this game), who broke out in three consecutive games, scored 21 points and made 7 of 11 three-pointers)
Although Doncic had a triple-double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists, his shooting percentage was dismal, only 6 of 20!
Irving did not return to his position at the end of the season, shooting 4 of 11 from the field, and only got 9 points and 9 assists!
Now, the Thunder is back at home to face Tianwang Mountain, which is like a tiger returning to the mountain, and the Lone Ranger is really difficult to fight!
Doncic's knee injury has never healed, Irving was strangled to death by the Thunder, and if PJ Washington can't break out in the next game, the Mavericks could lose to Kings Mountain and fall on the verge of elimination.
However, the Mavericks don't expect PJ Washington to win, the playoffs are just the time when the stars need to be tough, and Doncic and Irving have to step up!