Mavericks, Thunder Collide In Dallas For Game 3
The Dallas Mavericks will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks could’ve easily gone down 0-2 in the series returning to Dallas following two tight contests at Paycom Center, but the brilliance of Luka Doncic and a few impressive performances from role players lifted Dallas to a huge road win in Game 2 of the series. In a game where Kyrie Irving failed to deliver, Luka Doncic led Dallas with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while PJ Washington (29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists), Daniel Gafford (13 points and seven rebounds) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (17 points off the bench) all came through. The Mavericks have the edge in the series now, knowing they only need to win their three games at home to move to the Conference Finals. That’s easier said than done, however, as the Mavericks only went 25-16 at home during the regular season. However, a regression to the norm from Kyrie Irving and a solid display from Luka Doncic should always give the Mavericks a strong chance to compete, regardless of who they have in front.
The Mavericks are listing Luka Doncic (knee) as questionable for Saturday’s Game 3. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) and Maxi Kleber (shoulder) are out.
The Thunder had chances to secure the victory in Game 2, but a slow start doomed them, and changes to the starting lineup are not ruled out given how much Josh Giddey has struggled against the backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in Game 2, while Jalen Williams totaled 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chet Holmgren collected 11 points, six rebounds and six assists. As long as the three star players continue to produce for OKC, the Thunder have a good chance of turning things around and steal a win from Dallas. Having gone 24-17 on the road during the regular season should give the Thunder a boost that they can get the job done on the road as well. However, this is the first time they’re actually under pressure in the current playoff run.
The Thunder do not have any injuries to account for ahead of Game 3.
The Mavericks could’ve easily gone down 0-2 in the series returning to Dallas following two tight contests at Paycom Center, but the brilliance of Luka Doncic and a few impressive performances from role players lifted Dallas to a huge road win in Game 2 of the series. In a game where Kyrie Irving failed to deliver, Luka Doncic led Dallas with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while PJ Washington (29 points, 11 rebounds and four assists), Daniel Gafford (13 points and seven rebounds) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (17 points off the bench) all came through. The Mavericks have the edge in the series now, knowing they only need to win their three games at home to move to the Conference Finals. That’s easier said than done, however, as the Mavericks only went 25-16 at home during the regular season. However, a regression to the norm from Kyrie Irving and a solid display from Luka Doncic should always give the Mavericks a strong chance to compete, regardless of who they have in front.
The Mavericks are listing Luka Doncic (knee) as questionable for Saturday’s Game 3. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) and Maxi Kleber (shoulder) are out.
The Thunder had chances to secure the victory in Game 2, but a slow start doomed them, and changes to the starting lineup are not ruled out given how much Josh Giddey has struggled against the backcourt of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in Game 2, while Jalen Williams totaled 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chet Holmgren collected 11 points, six rebounds and six assists. As long as the three star players continue to produce for OKC, the Thunder have a good chance of turning things around and steal a win from Dallas. Having gone 24-17 on the road during the regular season should give the Thunder a boost that they can get the job done on the road as well. However, this is the first time they’re actually under pressure in the current playoff run.
The Thunder do not have any injuries to account for ahead of Game 3.
Cavs Look To Carry Momentum Back Home
By Dan Bruno
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host to the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday evening.
The series is tied at one apiece after the Cavs stunned the Celtics in Game 2 in Boston.
They jumped out to a strong start in the game and took a, 30-24, lead after one quarter. The hosts bounce back in the second and tied the game at 54, by halftime. The Cavs reclaimed control in the third and outscored the Celtics, 36-24, to carry a 12-point lead into the final frame. The Celtics had no answers in the fourth, while the Cavs rallied to the finish to close out the 24-point road win.
Six players scored in double digits for the Cavs in the win, led by Donovan Mitchell, who totaled 29 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, in 39 minutes. Evan Mobley finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks, while Caris LeVert logged 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. They shot an impressive 54.7 percent from the field, including 13-for-28 from deep. On the other side, Jayson Tatum was the only player to top 20 points for the Celtics, as he finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. Jaylen Brown followed up with 19 points and four rebounds, while Payton Pritchard chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and a steal.
The Celtics will remain without Kristaps Porzingis (calf), while Jarrett Allen (ribs) and Dean Wade (knee) are listed as questionable for action.
The series is tied at one apiece after the Cavs stunned the Celtics in Game 2 in Boston.
They jumped out to a strong start in the game and took a, 30-24, lead after one quarter. The hosts bounce back in the second and tied the game at 54, by halftime. The Cavs reclaimed control in the third and outscored the Celtics, 36-24, to carry a 12-point lead into the final frame. The Celtics had no answers in the fourth, while the Cavs rallied to the finish to close out the 24-point road win.
Six players scored in double digits for the Cavs in the win, led by Donovan Mitchell, who totaled 29 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, in 39 minutes. Evan Mobley finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks, while Caris LeVert logged 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. They shot an impressive 54.7 percent from the field, including 13-for-28 from deep. On the other side, Jayson Tatum was the only player to top 20 points for the Celtics, as he finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal. Jaylen Brown followed up with 19 points and four rebounds, while Payton Pritchard chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and a steal.
The Celtics will remain without Kristaps Porzingis (calf), while Jarrett Allen (ribs) and Dean Wade (knee) are listed as questionable for action.