Mavericks Move Past Conference Semifinals, Make Conference Finals
Photo Credit: Sam Hodde, Getty Images
In a tight finish against the number one seed Oklahoma City Thunder, the Dallas Mavericks(50-32) beat the Thunder(57-25) by a score of 117-116, according to ESPN. The game ended the series against the Thunder, as the Mavericks were winning the series by a score of 3-2 before playing the sixth game of the series on their home floor.
Similar to each of their playoff victories, the Dallas Mavericks had key contributions from a variety of players to be able to stay in the game against the Thunder. The majority of these key contributions came in the fourth quarter, which ultimately allowed the Mavericks to win the game. According to Pro Basketball Reference, the Oklahoma City Thunder were winning by a score of 90-83 heading into the fourth quarter. Seeing as the Thunder consists of a team with young, energetic future superstars in the making, maintaining a lead with this surplus of energy should have ideally been possible.
Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press Photo
However, the Mavericks soon closed that seven-point gap with critical scoring by four of their five starters and Derrick Lively II. Luka DonΔiΔ contributed four points in the fourth quarter, bringing his game total to 29 points. However, though players such as Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, and Derrick Lively II had point totals of 22, 22, nine, and 12 for the game respectively, the points they scored in the fourth quarter brought the Mavericks over that initial seven-point hump to win the game.
Photo Credit: Sam Hodde, Getty Images
Kyrie Irving scored 8 of his 22 in the fourth, shooting only 33.3% from the field but 40% from the three-point line. Derrick Jones Jr. scored five points in the fourth quarter, including a jumper to bring the score to 115-110 in favor of the Mavericks with 1:11 left in the game, according to Pro Basketball Reference. Derrick Lively II scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, with his perfect field goal percentage(3-3) showing why the rookie is an excellent asset for the Mavericks moving forward in the playoffs. P.J. Washington, in an outstanding clutch performance, delivered all nine of his points in the fourth quarter. These nine points included the two shots from the charity stripe that ultimately resulted in the Mavericks moving on to the Western Conference Finals.
Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press Photo
The Oklahoma City Thunder, while disappointed due to the loss to the Mavericks as the one-seed in the ruthless Western Conference, have much to look forward to in the coming years. Given that the Thunder do not trade a majority of their starters, the team is looking forward to an exponential increase in chemistry between their young core, which only increases their chances of repeating as a playoff-worthy team in the 2024-2025 NBA Season.
