After a great defensive performance from the whole team, and a very rare offensive performance from their savy veteran point guards Raymond Felton and Deron Williams, the Mavericks snuck out of OKC with a 85-84 victory.
They can also say thank you to Kevin Durant who went a mind bottling 7-33 from the field and 2-11 from three point land.
Durant tied for the most missed shots in a playoff game.
Kevin Durant ties record for the most missed field goals in a playoff game. https://t.co/rtJyVAgpxF pic.twitter.com/FDMbcZKqUc
— theScore (@theScore) April 19, 2016
The game was close until the end as Raymond Felton made a go ahead layup with 28 seconds to go. A cold Kevin Durant took back to back threes and saw Wes Matthews end up with the ball for a breakaway layup to put the Mavericks up four. A late three by Durant put the Thunder down 1 and was followed up by two Raymond Felton missed free throws.
OKC had one last shot at the basket and almost went home with the win.
Steven Adams was oh so close to a game winner for the #Thunder Mavs win! #NBAPlayoffshttps://t.co/38Em9JncT0
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) April 19, 2016
Give credit to Dallas. They came in and did not back down. They didn’t back down to standing in between Russell Westbrook and Cameron Payne’s pregame dance.
Don’t try to interrupt Russell Westbrook’s pregame dance routine with Cameron Payne.
(via @royceyoung) pic.twitter.com/3s7Wpr4KmC
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) April 19, 2016
Raymond Felton and Deron Williams combined for an astounding 13-25 from the field. For a guy that was questionable coming into the game for the Mavericks, it was what the team needed from one of their leaders. Credit to rookie Justin Anderson who was anxious to see the floor in Game 1 but didn’t. Instead, he played a solid 14 minutes tonight, and was a spark off the bench for Dallas.
For the Thunder, they just could not hit shots like they normally do. If they hit just even a couple more shots, there was a very good chance they squeak this game out. Adams had a chance to win it at the end, but Westbrook and Durant combining for embarrassing 27% (15-55) from the floor just will not get it done.
This is now an opportunity for the Mavericks to take advantage. The next two games are in Dallas and they have all the momentum.
Here is some food for thought on tonight’s win for the Mavs.
Mavs were 14-point underdogs, making tonight’s win the biggest upset in an NBA postseason game in last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/KCsnsP72c6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 19, 2016
