Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks certainly didn't look too rusty on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 121-112 win. On Thursday night, Nowitzki and the Mavs will look to take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder.
Nowitzki was as good as you can expect a player to be in the NBA Playoffs, scoring 48 points on just 15 shots. Nowitzki was a perfect 24 of 24 from the free throw line, setting the record for consecutive free-throw makes in a game in the magnificent performance.
Kevin Durant also stood out in Game 1, scoring 40 points in his first ever Western Conference Finals game. Durant also added eight rebounds and five assists in the loss.
Perhaps the key to the Mavericks' victory was holding Russell Westbrook to 20 points - and more importantly, only three assists. Westbrook had a poor night shooting as well, shooting 3-15 from the field. Westbrook did make 14 of 18 free throws, but the abysmal shooting from the field certainly was a major factor in Dallas' win.
To win Game 2, Dallas will also have to do a better job of keeping the Thunder off the free throw line. The Thunder got to the line 43 times in Game 1 - seven more times than the Mavericks did.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CDT. Televised coverage can be found on ESPN.