OKLAHOMA CITY – If you go strictly by the listed dimensions of their players, Oklahoma City started five shooting guards on Sunday night against the Mavericks.
They could have crushed all comers in a 6-7 and under league.
But they were going against the Mavericks, who fielded a more traditional lineup, even if it was without Luka Dončić was out with a right knee contusion.
Without him, the Mavericks could still fall back on the old NBA truism that, sometimes, size still matters.
Bigger was better as the Mavericks battered the Thunder in the rebounding department and powered their way to a 121-119 victory at Paycom Center.
At one point midway through the fourth quarter, the Mavericks were outrebounding the Thunder 51-25. The Mavericks were getting loads of second chances offensively. The final numbers on the glass favored the Mavericks 53-29.
P.J. Washington was a beast all night with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Daniel Gafford also notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
And the Mavericks got contributions from a variety of players, including Spencer Dinwiddie, who nailed consecutive three-pointers to start the fourth quarter to help push the lead to 114-101 with 4:36 to play.
Somehow, you knew it wouldn’t be stress-free. Eight quick points cut the Mavericks’ advantage to 114-109 with 3:14 left.
After a timeout, Washington scored when he grabbed an offensive rebound and Kyrie Irving, who had 23 points, drilled a three-pointer to rebuild the lead to 10 points.
The Thunder got it back within 121-118 with 24.2 seconds to go when Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 38 points and eight assists, nailed a three-pointer. The Thunder challenged a foul against Naji Marshall, but OKC coach Mark Daigneault challengeed and won, but since Marshall had control of the ball, the Mavericks retained possession with 19.2 ticks showing.
The Thunder forced a jump ball with 8 seconds left. It was Irving against Gilgeous-Alexander, who won the tip, giving the Thunder a last-gasp chance.
The Mavs fouled Gilgeous-Alexander who made the first free throw, intentionally missed the second and gave the Thunder a chance at the win as the ball bounced out to Lu Dort. His three-point prayer went unanswered.
The Mavericks won for the second time in two nights after losing four in a row.
They handled the situation without Luka just fine in the first half, when they were up 66-58. When Quentin Grimes nailed a three-pointer 89 seconds into the third quarter, the Mavericks were in front 73-63.
Though both coaches had said pregame that the playoff series between the two teams in the second round last spring had no bearing on what they wanted to do on Sunday, the game to that point had looked quite similar to the Mavericks’ 4-2 series win.
X: @ESefko
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