Mavs Use Third Quarter Surge to Edge Thunder, Take 2-1 Series Lead
The Dallas Mavericks used a 16-0 run in the third quarter to take the lead for good and beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-101 in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series on Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
The Mavs take a 2-1 lead in the series and maintain the home court advantage, ending a four-game losing streak to OKC in home playoff games.
The Thunder went on an 11-0 run in the third quarter to build a 10-point lead, but Dallas' response put them on top to stay and the closest OKC could get was within one point at 71-70.
The Thunder outshot the Mavs 47 percent to 43 percent from the field, and both teams were 33 percent from three-point range.
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 27 points, including a pair of three-pointers and a big dunk during the 16-0 run.
Both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had 22 points, with Doncic adding 15 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points and was one of four Thunder players in double figure scoring.
Jalen Williams had 16 points and 8 assists, plus 6 rebounds.
Both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Joe had 13 points.
The Mavericks jumped to a nine-point lead in the first quarter, before the Thunder came back to take the lead and OKC was up 52-51 at halftime.
The game featured eight ties and 14 lead changes.
The Thunder fell to 2-6 in Game 3 on the road when the series is tied.
Game 4 is Monday night in Dallas at 8:30 pm.