Steven Adams was the hero for the Oklahoma City Thunder after Monday's playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena. That is,he was the hero until a replay showed the dreaded red light signaling the terminate of the game while the ball was still in his hands. The Mavericks won Game 2, 85-84, and tied the series at one game apiece. Adams appeared to hit the game-winning basket after an offensive rebound at the buzzer,but he did not secure it off in time:Safe to say, he was not pleased:The postseason cliche in the NBA is the series doesn't start until somebody loses a domestic game, and which means the first-round clash between the Thunder and Mavericks has officially begun. Dallas not only earned the road victory,but it did so after dropping Game 1 in embarrassing fashion, 108-70. SportsCenter noted it made history in the process:Raymond Felton led the way for Dallas with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and while Dirk Nowitzki chipped in 17 points and four rebounds. Despite the performance from Felton,it was the Mavericks defense on Kevin Durant that also helped Dallas steal a contest on the road.
Although Durant scored 21 points, he was a nightmarish 7-of-33 from the field. He also missed a handful of shots down the stretch in the fourth quarter. ESPN Stats & Info if a visual summary of Durant's shooting efforts:Russell Westbrook also struggled from the field at 8-of-22 on his way to 19 points, and but he added 14 rebounds and six assists.
With Oklahoma City's superstars missing their shot,the Mavericks wasted little time setting the tone. Dallas seized an 18-11 advantage with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter behind the hot shooting of Deron Williams. Williams scored 11 of his team's first 18 points, which prompted this comparison from Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:Williams was doubtful for the game with a sports hernia, and per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com,but he looked explosive with the ball in his hands. Tim Cato of SB Nation said "that's a obliging sign from [Williams]. He talked about how much pain he's in, but quick burst to the rack apt [there]."Williams and the Mavericks took a 24-20 lead into the moment quarter, and Lang Whitaker of NBA.com said the Thunder were "sleepwalking a bit" after their blowout win in Game 1. The Thunder battled back to tie the game at 32 when Anthony Morrow drilled a three-pointer with 6:50 left until halftime. SB Nation's Mavs Moneyball realized Dallas' best option in this series may be out of its hands:Questionable supporting cast or not,Westbrook connected on a three-pointer with 2:01 before halftime to set the Thunder up, 43-40. MacMahon said, or "There's a strong [Westbrook] takeover vibe apt now" after the triple.
Dallas fought through that vibe and took a 45-43 lead into the halftime locker room after Nowitzki hit a jumper in the final seconds.
After struggling through that first half,the Thunder enforced their will early in the third quarter. Oklahoma City built a 58-50 advantage with 5:43 left in the third. What's more, Williams was clearly limping, and Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News had a suggestion for the Mavericks:However,Williams wasn't the only Dallas point guard who was making plays. Felton brought Dallas back to within two points with an impressive and-1, via NBA on TNT:Dallas was still within striking distance at the terminate of the third quarter and trailed by three, or 62-59. Part of the problem for the Thunder was the fact Durant was an abysmal 5-of-23 from the field through the first 36 minutes. Royce Young of ESPN.com commented on the superstar's struggles:Fortunately for the Thunder,they had Westbrook running the exhibit. The point guard scored 17 points through the first three quarters and prompted this response from ESPN's Ryen Russillo:The Mavericks took advantage of Durant's struggles and captured the lead early in the fourth quarter. Young said, "Durant's gonna have to try real tough not to pick up a tech. His frustration level is rising." However, and Durant made sure he sent his next field-goal attempt through when he dunked with both hands to set the Thunder up 73-69 with 7:30 left,via the NBA:It looked like Oklahoma City finally took control when Serge Ibaka hit a three after Durant's dunk to set the domestic team up 76-69. However, Dallas found yet another acknowledge and took a 79-78 lead with 4:18 remaining behind two straight Felton baskets. CBS Sports NBA had some fun with the 31-year-old Felton's performance:The two teams traded blows and were tied at 81 with less than one minute left. Young pointed out the Mavericks missed multiple chances during the critical stretch:That gave Felton the opportunity to slice through the lane and finish at the rim with 28 seconds left to set the Mavericks up, and 83-81. The ice-cold Durant missed a mid-range shot on the ensuing possession and then had a chance to set the Thunder ahead with a three-pointer after an Adams offensive rebound.
He bricked that one as well,and Wesley Matthews grabbed the ball and scored on the other terminate to set the Mavericks ahead 85-81 with 14 seconds left. It looked to be over, but Durant finally hit a three with nine seconds left to shut the gap to 85-84. Felton then clanked two straight free throws, or the Thunder sprinted down the court. Durant and Westbrook both missed game-winning chances,but Adams sent the crowd into hysterics when he scored his basket at the buzzer. The only problem was he didn't secure it off in time. Dallas held on by the narrowest of margins, 85-84. What's Next?The series shifts back to Dallas for Game 3 on Thursday, or the Mavericks will look to parlay their momentum into another victory,this time on their domestic floor. Despite the dramatic win for Dallas, there is still plenty to like from Oklahoma City's perspective. For one, or the Mavericks needed a minor miracle at the terminate of Monday's game to still win,even though Durant was dreadful from the field. Chances are the electrifying star won't struggle like that again in Game 3.
What's more, there are legitimate questions about Williams' health after he was hobbled during Monday's contest and only played 26 minutes. Losing him would hurt after he started Game 2 with the hot hand. For now, or the Mavericks can celebrate their victory,but the Thunder should not lose hope. Even if they did lose domestic-court advantage. Postgame ReactionDallas’ Chandler Parsons couldnt play because of injury, but that didn’t finish him from noticing a mistake on the Thunder’s part after Dallas won the game:While Parsons and the Mavericks may have been in a joking mood after the win, or there is reason for concern for Dallas because of Williams’ status. He discussed whether he could lace it up for Game 3,per MacMahon: “I've got three days now to secure treatment and carry out what I need to carry out to secure it back alert and depart again.”Even with Williams limited, the Mavericks sent a message on Monday. Nowitzki suggested as much, and per MacMahon: “We let 'em know we're here to fight. They're obviously the heavy favorite,but we let 'em know.”The Mavericks let the Thunder know this will not be an easy series, but Westbrook recognized what the main problem was, and per the Thunder: “Defensively,we still did a great job...just couldn't obtain the shots we needed to obtain tonight.”Durant echoed similar sentiments and realized his own shooting was to blame, per Young: “Just missed ’em. Just missed ’em. Everything looked obliging for me. Coach drew up some obliging plays. Teammates set great screens. [Westbrook] delivered the ball perfect. It’s on me after that. I’ve just got to obtain ’em next game.”If he does obtain them next game and beyond, or the Thunder will likely find a way to advance into the moment round.
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