Mavericks Capture Another Road Game Five Victory, Beat Thunder Handsomely
Photo Credit: Nate Billings, Associated Press Photo
The Dallas Mavericks(50-32) beat the Oklahoma City Thunder(57-25) by a score of 104-92(according to ESPN), stealing yet another road game in the tight series between the one seed and the four seed. Luka Dončić proved to be the main factor contributing to the Mavericks’ victory, as he scored 31 points over the course of 41 minutes of playing time while also registering 10 rebounds and 11 assists, according to Pro Basketball Reference.
The fact that the game was a home game makes the loss seem more significant in the eyes of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The inability to defend home court, especially in a game five for the higher seed of the series, can prove series-ending, seeing as the Mavericks will be comfortable in American Airlines Center for game six of the series.
Photo Credit: Nathan J. Fish, The Oklahoman
Surprisingly, it was P.J. Washington that took a backseat to Luka Dončić in game five, scoring ten points across 37 minutes of playing time. Washington had been averaging 21.8 points per game over the first four games of the series(according to Pro Basketball Reference), which was well above his season average in scoring of 12.9 points per game. His offensive outbursts of 29, and 27 points in games two and three respectively of the series was a major contributing factor for the Mavericks winning those two games. Though the Thunder stole game four of the series, Washington’s contribution was not overlooked.
Photo Credit: Nate Billings, Associated Press Photo
While the loss is significant for the Thunder, the team has plenty of time to make adjustments, and additionally plenty of talent to build upon for the potentially season-ending game six against the Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander provides a consistent scorer and facilitator for the Thunder, averaging around 31.4 points per game and 7.2 assists per game for Mark Daigneault’s team, according to Pro Basketball Reference. Though Shai has proved his worth to the team, each of the other younger members of the Thunder’s squad has yet to separate themselves from one another on the offensive end, seeing as Jalen Williams averages 16 points per game for the series and Chet Holmgren averages 14.8 points per game in the series. Without another consistent offensive machine like Shai, it is hard to imagine the Thunder getting past a team like the Mavericks, who have two future Hall-of Famers on their team, while also having the role players to support those superstars.
Photo Credit: Nathan J. Fish, The Oklahoman
Dončić looked more like his regular season self, pouring in another triple-double to urge the Mavericks to win game five of the series. Dončić shot 54.5% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range, both proving integral to the Mavericks’ victory. His superstar contribution is important considering the lessened production of Kyrie Irving since the beginning of the Thunder series. Kyrie, while averaging only 14.4 points per game in the series with Oklahoma City, looks to increase that production to assist Luka and P.J. Washington to a comfortable Western Conference Finals berth.
