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Thunder vs Mavericks recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC stun Dallas to even up series

justin martinez, joel lorenzi, joe mussatto and jeff patterson, the oklahoman
·10 min read

The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will travel to face the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Dallas holds a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Mavericks earned a 105-101 home win over the Thunder in Game 3 on Saturday.

Here's what you need to know about the matchup:

More: What sunk Thunder vs Mavericks in Game 3 loss? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs some help

Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates

More: Mussatto: OKC Thunder now in big trouble in NBA playoffs thanks to Mavericks' 16-0 run

FINAL: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC tie series at 2-2

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes both free throws en route to a 34-point night.

What a heist for the Thunder, which looked dead in the water for much of the game.

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries Thunder past Mavericks in clutch to tie NBA playoff series

0:09.4 left in 4Q: Thunder 98, Mavericks 95

Chet Holmgren makes both free throws.

0:10.1 left in 4Q: Thunder 96, Mavericks 95

Luka Doncic went 1-for-2 on his free throws and the Thunder will try to hold on.

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1:07 left 4Q: Thunder 96, Mavericks 91

Through tonight’s first 41 minutes, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams were a combined 5 for 27. The two of them just made a couple of the biggest plays of their lives. OKC up 96-91 with 1:07 to play.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

3:19 left in 4Q: Thunder 89, Mavericks 86

Shai is doing everything to give OKC a shot. 9-0 run for OKC.

6:36 left 4Q: Mavericks 82, Thunder 75 | Mark Daigneault challenges call

Daigneault challenging another out of bounds call. Went out after Dort’s second 3PA on that possession. OKC down 82-75 with 6:36 to play.

UPDATE: Successful challenge, Thunder ball. Good challenge day for him, but that’s his last one.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

End 3Q: Mavericks 69, Thunder 65 | OKC somehow where there with shot to even series

Dallas ahead 69-65 after 3. Pretty amazing that OKC is this close this late after shooting 34.8% from the field and 16.7%, with Shai pull-ups being the most reliable form of offense. Thunder finally broke that 7-10 point deficit window. Probably has to start fourth well.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

What's wrong with Jalen Williams in Thunder-Mavericks series?

Jalen Williams is 2 for 11 today. He entered today’s game shooting 27.3% on inside-the-arc pull-ups. He also entered today’s game down 6% from the regular season in efficiency on shots inside 10 feet.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

5:02 left in 3Q: Mavs 64, Thunder 54

SGA is 5-of-5 on non-paint twos. Feels like that’s the Thunder’s only reliable offense.

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

What are Josh Giddey's stats so far this series?

Josh Giddey will start the second half on the bench. Isaiah Joe gets the nod.

In 41 minutes total in the first three games of the series, Giddey has 19 points, three assists and nine rebounds. He has five points on 2-for-7 shooting tonight.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likely has to take over again

No one should be curious why some might’ve interpreted SGA’s aggression down the stretch in Game 3 as him trying to — needing to — take the game into his own hands. Trending toward him needing to do it again. He could be involved more, and Chet doesn’t seem involved enough.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Half: Mavericks 54, Thunder 43

Brutal end to the half. Dort slides side-to-side with Luka, Luka hits an F-U 3 and acts out contact. OKC rushes down with a look, Chet’s dunk attempt is altered and Dort’s putback attempt gets jumped. 54-43 Dallas. OKC shooting 34.9% FG, 1 for 11 from 3.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

What is working for Mavericks midway through second quarter?

Dallas has either funneled the ball to an OKC shooter it prefers or trapped any threatening shooters in the corner. Disrupting some flow there.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams in Thunder lineup to start 2Q

Josh Giddey in the lineup to start the 2nd. Kenrich Williams getting his first minutes here.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

End 1Q: Mavericks 30, Thunder 20

With the way Gafford's deployed and the traps being thrown at SGA, these might be the toughest circumstances Shai has had. Dallas not allowing Chet 3s, JDub trying to run PNR with Giddey. Starters digging a hole that this version of the offense can't dig itself out of.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Bad starts are hallmark of Thunder-Mavericks series so far for OKC

OKC can’t continue to spend every game working from this multi-possession deficit. 14-6 Mavs now. Was 11-5 Dallas in Game 3 when OKC called timeout. Was 16-7 when the Thunder subbed out Josh Giddey early in Game 2.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

7:00 left in 1Q: Mavericks 14, Thunder 6 | Ugly start for OKC

Luka Doncic caps a 7-0 Mavericks run with a 3-pointer. Mark Daigneault has seen enough and calls for a timeout.

OKC is 3-for-10 from the field and 0-for-3 from deep.

Doncic has seven points.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

9:08 left in 1Q: Thunder 4, Mavericks 4 | Lu Dort in early foul trouble

Luka Doncic has forced a second foul on Lu Dort not even three minutes into the game, but Dort is staying in.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Mark Daigneault on Thunder’s position 

Daigneault was asked about the difference between “pressing” and “playing with urgency.”

Only once in the regular season did the Thunder lose three games in a row, a fate OKC is trying to avoid Monday night.

“I think the context will create the urgency and motivation,” Daigneault said. “Everybody’s motivated, everybody has a sense of urgency right now. A lot of it for us is doubling down on trusting who we are and trusting the habits we’ve built.”

Daigneault put the Thunder’s position in perspective.

“A year ago, no offense to any front office members here, but I was at the combine,” Daigneault said. “I’d much rather be here in the second round of the playoffs than at the combine.”

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

Can P.J. Washington keep up hot streak?

Mavericks forward P.J. Washington is a career 35% 3-point shooter, but in the first three games of this series he’s shooting 54% from three.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked about the balance of trusting the math — that Washington is bound to cool off —  versus devoting extra attention to Washington.

“You can’t ignore what’s happening in the series in loyalty to sample size,” Daigneault said. “He’s clearly playing with a lot of confidence right now … To not react to that would be tone deaf.”

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

Thunder vs. Mavericks highlights

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 4 predictions

Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

Dallas has all the momentum right now.

Luka Doncic continues to do damage despite being banged up. P.J. Washington is playing the best basketball of his career. Josh Giddey has gotten played off the floor.

But it's hard to imagine OKC losing three straight games as long as it has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has recorded two straight 30-point double doubles. If the Thunder can get out of its 3-point shooting slump, it should be able to win Game 4.

Prediction: Thunder 104, Mavericks 100

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Game 4: How to watch OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

  • Date: Monday, May 13

  • Time: 8:30 p.m. CT

  • TV: TNT

  • Live Stream: Sling (watch for free)

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Injury report for OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

OKC Thunder injury report

None

Dallas Mavericks injury report

Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is out.

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Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)

  • Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)

  • Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)

  • Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)

  • Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

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Projected Dallas Mavericks starting lineup

  • Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)

  • Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)

  • Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)

  • P.J. Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)

  • Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks playoff series schedule

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 3-1.

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 4 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, May 13

  • Spread: Dallas (-1.5)

  • Over/under: 215.5

  • Moneyline: Dallas -115 | OKC -105

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2024 NBA playoffs

First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

Second-round picks: Thunder vs Mavericks | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Celtics vs Cavaliers | Knicks vs Pacers

More: 2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch

More OKC Thunder news

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder evens up series vs Mavericks at 2-2 in NBA playoffs