The Dallas Mavericks must be getting old to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, a club that has only lost eight games this season and is one of the league’s real contenders, have now fallen to the Mavericks for the third time, all without Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks, who are used to giving it their all, dominated OKC with unrelenting vigour in their exciting and physical 121-115 victory on Thursday night, which resulted in their third defeat. This season, Dallas has had to deal with the fact that they were missing not only Doncic but their whole roster of talent. Additionally, contributions were made by both end-of-square players and mainstays. It seems like the Mavericks are ready for this game. These are some stats to keep in mind from a thrilling victory at a difficult part of the season.
PJ Washington arrives in Oklahoma City
PJ Washington is the Maverick with the Thunder’s number the most. The starting forward recorded an impressive 22 points, 19 rebounds (perhaps a career best of 20), three assists, three steals, and two blocks on Thursday. He has recorded the most double-doubles in a single season with this one, his eleventh of the year.
Since his arrival last deadline, Washington has been the Mavericks’ mainstay. He was especially effective on the defensive glass and took on defensive responsibilities late in the game against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is rapidly becoming one of the greatest Mav favourites of all time. That’s why we play games like tonight.
Prosper flourishes
Given how many people are out, Olivier-Maxence Recently, Prosper has been offered greater opportunities. Although it’s clear that his skill is still in its infancy, his effort alone has an impression. OMax scored 14 points, 13 of which came in the first half of Thursday’s contest. He attempted nine free shots that evening and was especially effective at playing through and attracting contact.
The forward in his second year is improving his transitional decision-making, weaponising his length and athleticism, and finding out pace with the ball in his hands. Although he had less of an effect in the second half, he helped the Mavericks stay in the game during the first half when the Thunder were playing very well from beyond the arc.
The Thunder’s second-half three-point shooting %
Both sides successfully scored in different ways during the first half, which was back and forth. At the half, OKC was only ahead 62-60 and making 11 of 22 three-pointers, warning indications of the direction this game was going. It can be a telltale sign to be so effective at three-point shooting and not have a larger advantage.
It yielded, as expected. With insufficient offence elsewhere to stay up, the Thunder went on to shoot only 4-of-15 from beyond the arc in the second half. In what turned into a heated second half, Dallas held serve in the fourth quarter after outscoring OKC 31–21 in the third. The sort of exciting regular-season matchup the Mavericks can look forward to after a difficult few weeks.
