The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-112 Tuesday night to take a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
↵The Mavericks gave up 100 points for the first time this post season and it was a classic shootout between two of the league's best players.
↵Durant was outstanding scoring 40 points on 10/18 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. Rarely do you see that kind of performance overshadowed in the playoffs but that's exactly what happened in this game. Dirk Nowitzki was absolutely sensational. Nowitzki scored 48 points on 12/15 shooting.
↵48 points. 15 shots.
↵That's the fewest shot attempts to reach 48 points in NBA history. History is fun, Dirk says. What's the record for consecutive free throw makes in a game? 23. Okay, how about I make 24 straight? Nowitzki was a perfect 24/24 from the line. It was a magnificent performance and one that will go down in the record books.
↵Nowitzki got some help in the fourth quarter when J.J Barea continued his dominate pick and roll play on his way to 21 points, including 12 straight in the fourth quarter. Terry picked up right where he left off scoring 24 points and Chandler was outstanding defending the paint by playing a big part in limiting Westbrook's production on drives to the basket.
↵The Mavericks still have some work to do in this series. Westbrook will not shoot 3/15 again in this series and James Harden is still a major threat coming off the bench. Their defense was okay for stretches in the game but the rotations will need to improve in the coming games. You could probably attribute some of that to the long layoff. But the offense was unaffected. Thanks to an all-time performance by Dirk Nowitzki.
↵Game two is Thursday night.