| |
|
Mavs take 2-1 series lead in West Finals
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Mon, 23 May 2011

After a late-game scare, when their 23-point lead was cut down to 6, the Dallas Mavericks clung to a 93-87 win over rthe Oklahoma City Thunder to take Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
Saturday night's thriller at the Oklahoma City Arena gave Dallas a 2-1 lead in their best-of-7 series and pushed the Mavericks to within two games from this year's NBA Finals.
Dirk Nowitzki had a rare night off --- 18 points on 7 for 21 shooting -- but he delivered clutch buckets in the final minutes to help Dallas ward off a pesky Thunder.
Shawn Marion belted a performance that harkened back to his days as "The Matrix" in Phoenix, finishing with 18 points that helped fuel the Mavs' 27-12 start, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry chipped in 13 each for the Mavs, who shot 36 of 82 field goals and 7-of-21 3s. And Tyson Chandler manned the middled with authority, 15 rebounds and 8 points.
The Mavs were beaten off the boards, 45-37, but they fired more assists, 21-11. Unlike their Game 2 upset win in Dallas, the Oklahoma reserves faltered in Game 3, scoring just 16.
Kevin Durant, like Nowitzki, diidn't have a superstar night. The reigning NBA scoring champion struggled with 24 points and missed 15 of 22 shots, including 8 from 3-point range. Russell Westbrook exploded for 30 points, but was hounded by 7 turnovers against 4 assists.
Overall, the Thunder converted just 36.5 percent of their shots (27-of-72). They sank 32 of 36 free throws, but they clanked 17 of 18 beyond the arc.
Game 4 resumes Monday night at the Oklahoma City Arena. (Homer D, Sasyon
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Into fights for IBA championship on April 24 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1 , Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing! By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama , Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25 , Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING , Thu, 23 Apr 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 , Thu, 23 Apr 2026FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT , Thu, 23 Apr 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN , Wed, 22 Apr 2026World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision , Wed, 22 Apr 2026Former champ Lawrence Okolie tested positive in VADA testing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026Salim Ellis-Bey Secures Win for Team USA on Day One of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1 , Wed, 22 Apr 2026Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026High Stakes in Ufa: Subkhankulov and Usmonov Clash for IBF #2 Spot By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Elorde Jr. is new PBF president By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT , Tue, 21 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|