| |
|
NBA -- Thunder dismiss Mavs, set semis showdown with Spurs
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Apr 2016
CHICAGO -- With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant providing a lethal 1-2 punch, the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, winning Game 5 of their opening round series, 118-104 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook fell one assist shy of a triple-double with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 9 dimes while Durant drilled 11 of 24 field goals for 33 points as the Thunder closed out the best-of-7 affair, 4-1.
The triumph set the stage for a Western Conference semifinals showdown between the No.3 seed Thunder and the No.1 ranked San Antonio Spurs, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 4-0 sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Playing on a blistering pace, the Thunder shot 50.6 percent from the field (41-of-81) and 33.3 percent from 3-point range (10-of-30). Steven Adams played well manning the paint -- 15 points and 10 rebounds -- while Dion Waiters chipped in 11 points from the bench.
The defeat sent the Mavs off to early vacation. But they didn't go out without a fight.
"We battled hard. We battled unbelievably hard even to get to the sixth seed, winning six in a row when everybody thought we were dead. So I'm proud of the guys. We gave it all we had," said Dirk Nowitzki, who led Dallas' gallant stand with 24 points.
Despite playing without Chandler Parsons (torn meniscus), David Lee (partial plantar fascists tear) and Deron Williams (sports hernia), the Mavs inched to within 101-98 with 7:51 left in the fourth quarter. But the Thunder silenced the uprising with a 15-5 run that put OKC ahead 116-103 in the final 53 seconds.
Photo: Dirk Nowitzki finds himself surrounded by two OKC players on Monday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC where the Thunder advanced to the second round of playoffs by dispatching the Mavericks in five games.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Weights From ‘Vazquez vs. Lugo’ Event from College Park Center in Arlington, TX, & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS JOSH PADLEY AND AQIB FIAZ FACE OFF
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026“I would not say Yoka is more dangerous.” Murat Gassiev's coach Kadushin on boxer's training camp
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Homecoming for super middleweight prospect Elijah Garcia to be showcased June 20 on Kingsley Ibeh vs. Dante Stone card in Phoenix
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Amateur Standout Kayla "The Truth" Gomez Set for Professional Debut on MF Pro's "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach
, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Tancontian to lead PH team in Sambo Asia-Oceania
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Jun 2026Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
