Mavericks Get By Thunder, 105-101
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-101, at American Airlines Center on Saturday afternoon in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal-round series. The Mavericks lead the series, 2-1.
The Mavericks (6-3 postseason) came into the first of back-to-back home contests with the momentum provided by having managed to steal a game in enemy territory, and they got off to a strong start by forging a 26-23 lead through one. However, the Thunder (5-2 postseason) bounced back in the second quarter to erase their deficit altogether and take a one-point edge into halftime. Dallas answered with its best offensive quarter in the third with 31 points to take a four-point advantage into the final period, and the hosts were ultimately able to match OKC point for point in last 12 minutes for the hard-fought victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, five blocks and two steals. Jalen Williams furnished 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Chet Holmgren supplied 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal. Isaiah Joe matched Holmgren's scoring and added two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
P.J. Washington paced the Mavericks with 27 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and two assists. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving contributed matching 22-point tallies while adding 15 rebounds and seven assists, respectively. Dereck Lively compiled 12 points, eight boards and one assist.
The two teams reconvene in Dallas for Game 4 on Monday night.
The Mavericks (6-3 postseason) came into the first of back-to-back home contests with the momentum provided by having managed to steal a game in enemy territory, and they got off to a strong start by forging a 26-23 lead through one. However, the Thunder (5-2 postseason) bounced back in the second quarter to erase their deficit altogether and take a one-point edge into halftime. Dallas answered with its best offensive quarter in the third with 31 points to take a four-point advantage into the final period, and the hosts were ultimately able to match OKC point for point in last 12 minutes for the hard-fought victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with a 31-point, 10-rebound double-double that included six assists, five blocks and two steals. Jalen Williams furnished 16 points, eight assists, six rebounds and one block. Chet Holmgren supplied 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four blocks and one steal. Isaiah Joe matched Holmgren's scoring and added two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
P.J. Washington paced the Mavericks with 27 points, supplementing them with six rebounds and two assists. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving contributed matching 22-point tallies while adding 15 rebounds and seven assists, respectively. Dereck Lively compiled 12 points, eight boards and one assist.
The two teams reconvene in Dallas for Game 4 on Monday night.
Celtics Defeat Cavs in Game 2, 106-93, Up 2-1 in Series
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-93, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday.
Boston leads this series, 2-1.
While there were six ties and 11 lead changes in the opening 15 minutes, Boston never relinquished the lead after that. A 27-20 second quarter allowed them to take control, completing their win with a 27-21 third quarter. They led by at least nine points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 23 points at times. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding the Cavaliers to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Boston out-rebounded Cleveland, 51-40, while out-assisting them, 22-17.
The Celtics (2-1) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown shot 13-of-17 from the field to finish with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jrue Holiday had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Derrick White totaled 12 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Cavalier (1-2) were led by Donovan Mitchell, collecting 33 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Evan Mobley accrued 17 points and eight rebounds. Darius Garland generated 15 points, three rebounds and six assists. Caris LeVert led the bench with 15 points and six boards. No other player had more than six points or three assists.
Game 4 will be in Cleveland on Saturday.
Boston leads this series, 2-1.
While there were six ties and 11 lead changes in the opening 15 minutes, Boston never relinquished the lead after that. A 27-20 second quarter allowed them to take control, completing their win with a 27-21 third quarter. They led by at least nine points for the entirety of the second half, getting their lead up to 23 points at times. The Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range while holding the Cavaliers to 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Boston out-rebounded Cleveland, 51-40, while out-assisting them, 22-17.
The Celtics (2-1) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 33 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown shot 13-of-17 from the field to finish with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Jrue Holiday had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Derrick White totaled 12 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The Cavalier (1-2) were led by Donovan Mitchell, collecting 33 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Evan Mobley accrued 17 points and eight rebounds. Darius Garland generated 15 points, three rebounds and six assists. Caris LeVert led the bench with 15 points and six boards. No other player had more than six points or three assists.
Game 4 will be in Cleveland on Saturday.