| |
|
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:
DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026Suarez sends strong signal
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
