On May 16, Beijing time, in the NBA Western Conference semifinals, the battle of Tianwang Mountain, the Thunder played at home against the Mavericks. The Thunder changed lineup and started Isaiah Joe in place of Giddey. Gidira couldn't open up space, and he made 2 of 11 three-pointers in the first four games! Thunder starting lineup: Alexander, Isaiah Joe, Dort, Jalen Williams, Holmgren.
The Mavericks' starting lineup is unchanged: Doncic, Irving, Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Gafford Washington has been too fierce lately: he has scored 29, 27 and 21 points in the last three games, shooting 17-of-34 from three-point range. That's right, hitting an average of 5.7 three-pointers per game, while shooting 50% from three-point range, which is really good!
Speaking of today's game, the Thunder sacrificed joint defense from the beginning, focusing on Doncic and Irving, and letting go of the other Mavericks players. Derrick Jones Jr. stepped up in time and scored 8 points on 3-of-3 shooting in the first half of the quarter! The Mavericks also had a crisis: Washington hit a three-and-a-half in the first quarter and ate two fouls and had to be replaced by Josh Green.
Kidd replaced Irving with Jaden Hardy, who averaged just 2.4 minutes per game in the playoffs, and got a chance in the crucial battle of Kings Mountain. Hardaway Jr. was 0-of-2 in the first quarter, and he didn't touch the basket on two shots, which was outrageous. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks led 24-22. Derrick Jones Jr. scored 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first quarter, and Doncic scored 8 points.
In the second quarter, Doncic went on an 11-5 run with the bench, and the Mavericks led by eight points. Doncic was in good shape today and fought back quickly, with the Mavericks leading by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. The Thunder No. 4 is not tall, and Chet has no weight. In the first half, the Thunder lost 3 rebounds and lost by 10 points at 18-28 inside!
Alexander finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals on 5-of-10 shooting in the first half, and had three turnovers. Of the other Thunder players, no one scored in double figures. Doncic had 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists on 7-of-11 shooting in the half, Derrick Jones Jr. contributed 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting, and Irving had seven points and two assists on 3-of-6 shooting. At halftime, the Mavericks led by a full 10 points at 54-44.
Washington was an inaccurate first-half and missed points on 0-of-2 three-point shooting. Isaiah Joe was 2-of-4 from three-point range in the Thunder's half, but was repeatedly named by Doncic on the defensive end. Yibian fought again, and the Thunder continued to flank Eastern Europe and empty others. Pressing the gourd to float the scoop, Washington scored five points in a row. Alexander swept the first 10 points of the second half of the Thunder!
The Mavericks' defensive strategy was the opposite, cutting Alexander's pass and allowing him to attack on his own. With four minutes left in the third quarter, the Mavericks led by 15 points. Doncic and Irving took turns resting, but Alexander didn't dare to get off the court. Alexander scored 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the first quarter, and after three quarters, the Thunder trailed by 12 points at 67-79.
With the exception of Alexander, the other Thunder players combined for just nine points in the third quarter, and Jayway scored just four points on 2-of-8 shooting in the first three quarters. In the final quarter, Alexander rested for 2 minutes off the court, and Jayway scored in a row. Doncic and Irving both stayed on the court, and Doncic scored eight points to close the game. The Thunder went on a 10-0 run to tie up to eight points in the final half.
It was Washington again, with a three-pointer and a violent dunk, withstanding the Thunder's counterattack. The Mavericks' defense rotated quickly, not giving the Thunder a chance to shoot easily. The Thunder began to cut Lively, the young man made 2 free throws and 2 hits, and the difference was 13 points in the last 2 minutes, and the Thunder had no chance. At the end of the game, the Mavericks defeated the Thunder 104-92 to take a 3-2 overall lead.
Doncic had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, Irving had 12 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, Jones had 19 points, Washington had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, and Lively had 11 points and 10 boards. After this battle, Owen's career battle of Tianwang Mountain is 4-0! On the Thunder's side, Alexander scored 30 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, Holmgren had 13 points and 4 boards, and Jayway and Dort both scored 12 points.
Well-known commentator Stephen A. Smith broke the news today that the Mavericks are interested in snatching Bronny before the Lakers because the Mavericks want to recruit James. A-Smith said that if you get James and Bronny, the Mavericks are not only Dallas, but also the hottest team in the NBA! This summer, James has a player option in his hands.
Final question: Do you think Zhan Ou is expected to join forces again?