OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA — The Mavericks snapped their 2 game losing skid defeating a young but tough Thunder team 127-106. It was one win they needed to grab since they’ve lost their last two games albeit without 5 players in their rotation.
After a couple of games without Luka Doncic and 1 game without Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks snapped their 10 game streak of trailing at the end of the first quarter. Dallas’s offense had a much better shooting performance in the opening quarter hitting 56% of their shots from the field and found success from beyond the arc. KP continued his stretch of dominant games from the three point line converting on 2 out of his 4 shots from perimeter. The remainder of the team converted on 50% of their shots finishing the first quarter with a 9 point lead.
Dallas had a few offensive snafu’s entering the second quarter and the Thunder took advantage on the other end of the floor. Oklahoma City scored 8 straight points and eventually did enough to tie the game midway through the second, which didn’t last very long. The trio of Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Kristaps Porzingis was too lethal and the three began to score the basketball with ease. The trio combined to score a combined 45 points through two quarters of play and all hit a streak from the three point line and helped the Mavericks separate once more going into halftime with a 8 digit 71-63 lead.
The three point shooting performance really stood out through the first half with Dallas converting on 10 of their three point shots. Luka has been one of the best three point shooters in the NBA since February shooting 43% from beyond the arc which bled through into this game. Doncic knocked down 4 of his three pointers in the first half alone. It was a key factor and paid off well.
The young Thunder team was down but never out. Oklahoma City chipped away at Dallas’s lead to open the third quarter and scored a quick 5 points to narrow the Mavs lead to 5 points. Dallas responded by going on a run of their own scoring 3 straight baskets and Luka put the cherry on top with a shot from deep to extend their lead back to double digits. The Mavericks finished the third quarter converting on 50% of their shots from the field marking their third consecutive quarter of shooting over 50% from the field and led the Thunder 100-83 to end the third quarter.
The Mavericks lead was big enough that Rick Carlisle allowed some of his bench to get some minutes in the fourth quarter. Josh Green scored on an alley oop dunk from Luka Doncic and grabbed a steal on the ensuing OKC possession, throwing down a fastbreak dunk. Newly acquired Nicolo Melli made his presence felt in his debut for the Mavericks and finished the game with 6 points. The Mavericks maintained their lead and moved to 24-21 on the season beating the Thunder in the regular season series.
The Mavericks were propelled by the scoring trio of Doncic, Porzingis, and Hardaway Jr with the three finishing the game with a combined 64 points scored. All three players have found range from deep and have hit their shots at a high clip.
This was a solid win for the Mavericks who will continue their road trip for the next three games and a win that could help them build some momentum against better opponents in their upcoming matchup.
