OKC Thunder can't decelerate Luka Doncic, Mavericks in Sport 2 loss – Oklahoman.com

The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will host the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Sport 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
OKC holds a 1-0 lead within the best-of-seven collection. It earned a 117-95 home win over Dallas in Game 1 on Tuesday.
This is what you should know in regards to the matchup:
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Extra:How Lu Dort defended Luka Doncic like a ‘warrior’ for Thunder vs Mavericks in Game 1 win
OKC takes its first lack of these playoffs and its first since April fifth, a 119-110 Sport 2 loss. Luka didn’t appear to be the Luka of Tuesday or final spherical. 29 factors, 10 rebounds, 7 assists. PJ Washington kills the nook, has 29. Thunder by no means discovered that closing gear within the 4th.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Extra:Thunder vs Mavericks takeaways: Luka Doncic, 3-point shooting deliver Dallas a Game 2 win
Dallas main 99-89 going into the fourth. In all probability gonna be on the Dub lineup to swing this recreation. Mavs have had some good responses, together with that THJ run. PJ Washington hasn’t misplaced his contact.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Only a deflating play and sequence from Tim Hardaway Jr. 4-point play in transition, and Cason Wallace performed it like he knew it was coming. 10 straight factors for him.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Giddey posted a plus-minus of -14 in simply eight minutes performed within the first half.
Dallas with a 68-62 lead at half. Luka has regarded extra like Luka tonight. 7 for 11, making masterful reads — straightforward ones, actually. The nook is open, because it tends to be with OKC. PJ Washington has made a dwelling on the market. Mavs 12 for twenty-four from deep. Shai with 18, Dub with 14. OKC responded properly to that early deficit.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
One thing occurred to Gafford’s hand on the block a pair minutes again. After his miss there, regarded like he went straight to the locker room.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Sport of runs. Luka spins Dort out of the body, misses. Shai snatches some toes from his defender, money. OKC down 8.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
The Thunder might need one of the best taking pictures followers within the NBA. For the third time in 4 playoff video games, a Thunder fan has made a halfcourt contest shot.
—Jeff Patterson, Employees author
Dallas forward 36-32 after 1. Luka Doncic’s world to date: 16 factors, limitless stepbacks, extra whistles at this level than final recreation. The nook 3s are nook 3ing. Mavs 8 for 13 from deep. Actually, actually good quarter for the JWill-Chet lineup. Dug OKC out an early gap. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 10 factors.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Luka is right here. On a heater to begin this recreation. Couple step again 3s, probing within the PNR, an awesome lob to Gafford in opposition to a relaxed protection. He’s had his fingers on every thing.
—Joel Lorenzi, Employees author
Two days after one OU nice was noticed courtside for Thunder-Mavericks at Paycom Middle, former Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has an up-close view of Sport 2 on Thursday evening.
The previous OU soccer star was the No. 1 total decide within the 2019 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, the place he stays the beginning quarterback.
Former OU basketball star Trae Younger was at Sport 1 on Tuesday.
—Jeff Patterson, Employees author
Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the runaway winner of the NBA’s Most Useful Participant award, however there was an actual race for second between Oklahoma Metropolis’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas’ Luka Doncic. 
Gilgeous-Alexander acquired 15 first-place votes to Doncic’s 4, and 40 second-place votes to Doncic’s 36. 
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder edged Doncic and the Mavericks in Sport 1, and SGA beat Doncic within the MVP race. 
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was requested earlier than Sport 2 Thursday in regards to the outcomes. 
“I used to be actually rooting for him,” Daigneault mentioned of SGA. “I’ve mentioned this earlier than, however I don’t suppose the person awards validate something when it comes to the work that’s been executed with any of our gamers, all the fellows who’ve been up for awards. 
“It doesn’t change the truth that he had an awesome two-end season, an awesome common season, unprecedented numbers, and the affect that he’s had on our crew not solely this season however over the course of this construct, you possibly can’t even measure. An award wouldn’t change any of these issues.” 
Gilgeous-Alexander has logged back-to-back top-five MVP finishes. He completed fifth for the award final season. 
—Joe Mussatto, Employees author
The Thunder checked off all of the containers in its blowout Sport 1 win.
OKC held Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to a mixed 39 factors. It picked aside an improved Dallas protection. It showcased its depth by scoring 42 bench factors.
It is price noting that Dallas misplaced Sport 1 to the Los Angeles Clippers within the first spherical solely to win the collection, 4-2. The Mavericks know easy methods to regulate, however the Thunder ought to nonetheless have the ability to handle enterprise at dwelling on Thursday.
Prediction: Thunder 108, Mavericks 102
Extra:Why is OKC Thunder playing deep rotations in NBA playoffs? Mark Daigneault explains
Extra:OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is runner-up in NBA MVP voting to Nikola Jokic
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Maxi Kleber (proper shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is out. Luka Doncic (proper knee sprain) is possible.
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OKC gained the regular-season collection, 3-1.
Extra:Mussatto: Why Thunder vs Mavericks is the NBA rivalry we have longed for
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Might 9
Extra:2018 NBA Re-Draft: Would Luka Doncic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go No. 1?
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
Extra:2024 NBA playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown, how to watch
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