In seven-game playoff series, the fifth game is usually decisive, the one that unbalances the balance, the game with capital letters. There it emerged again Luka Doncic with a triple-doublethe second in a row, for take Oklahoma back (92-104) and leave the Mavericks one victory away from the Western Conference final. In the early hours of Sunday, in Dallas, they have the opportunity to close out the series and equal the milestone from two years ago.
Doncic is a chrome. He has a sprain in his right knee which makes him play with an obvious limp. In attack he is less noticeable, because he usually imposes a slow pace, although he has a hard time getting rid of his defenders, especially the sticky Lou Dort. In defense, in any sprint, his pain becomes more evident. He also has problems with his left ankle and shoulder..
Despite all this, it ended with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists with 12/22 in field goals and 5/11 in triples. It was his sixth career triple-double in the playoffs. Another feat, given his conditions. In the first four games of the tie he had averaged 22 points on a discreet 39% shooting. In the last minute, when Oklahoma was desperately looking for a comeback, blocked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a drive to the basket. “Next season, to the best defensive quintet,” he joked..
The Mavericks went up 15 in the second quarter and led 44-54 at halftime. At the time of sentencing, they again had the appearance of the secondary ones. They are proving in this series that they are much more than Doncic and Kyrie Irving. “This team is special,” said the Slovenian. Derrick Jones Jr. scored 19 points, his personal high in the playoffs. Some of his baskets came in the fourth quarter, when The Thunder got closer after losing by 18 (71-89).
The secondaries shine in the final stretch
Oklahoma, in a burst of pride, went on a 10-0 run that tightened the score. PJ Washington, another standout with 10 points and 10 reboundsscored a triple and made a dunk. Dereck Lively (11+10) scored two free throws and another dunk Jones reopened the income (86-99) before they themselves settled the clash.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the best of the Thunder with 30 pointsbut he lacked company. No one else surpassed 13 points on the Thunder. It was Chet Holmgren., vastly surpassed by the intensity of the Mavericks’ interiors. The locals made changes to the starting five, leaving Josh Giddey on the bench after 229 games as a starter, but the departure of Isaiah Joe did not have the desired effect and They never had control of the crash. Doncic, despite his ailments, yes. Dallas is one step away from the Western final.
2024-05-16 05:30:31
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