“Very proud of how our guys responded after one of the worst playoff games in franchise history,” head coach Rick Carlisle said.
Game 1 on Saturday night was the worst playoff game in Dallas Mavericks history getting steamrolled 108-70 to their first-round opponent — the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game 2 would be a different story as the Mavericks (1-1) entered Chesapeake Arena with a different mindset and the determination that allowed them to steal a game from the Thunder (1-1) with a last-second 85-84 victory.
Raymond Felton would get the start for an injured J.J. Barea and Deron Williams decided to muster up the strength to start with a sports hernia that had him listed as a game-time decision.
“You could see the pain on Williams’ face, he really is doing a lot to put this team on his back,” rookie Justin Anderson said.
It looked like early trouble for the Mavericks as Dirk Nowitzki quickly found himself on the bench with two fouls, but Williams’ had other plans in mind catching fire early going 3-3 with the long ball, giving the Mavs an early 15-7 lead. The Mavericks would soon take a 24-20 lead going into the second quarter.
As many fans wanted, Anderson would finally enter the game with his extreme athleticism and passion. His first points would come off a defensive play by Williams taking the ball down the court for the flush and soon follow it with another team-lifting jam after a missed Devin Harris free throw.
Anderson with the putback dunk off the freethrow on Durant's head. ? https://t.co/zEi0OF8H09
— FREE AGENCY (@HoopingHeaven) April 19, 2016
Like we expected from the start of the series, the Mavs and Thunder would go back-and-forth with Dallas taking a 45-43 lead at the half.
Per usual, the Mavericks continue to have their third quarter woes only scoring 14 points in the quarter and allowing the Thunder to score 19 points.
The Mavericks would find themselves in a seven point deficit with 6:43 remaining in the fourth. After going scoreless throughout the game, Wesley Matthews would come up huge with back-to-back buckets helping the Mavericks pull within three, 78-75.
“Matthews had a tough shooting night but had a couple buckets in the 4th quarter, that’s a warrior right there,” Carlisle said.
The Mavericks leading rebounder, Felton, would grab his 11th rebound and take it down the court to score to put the Mavericks up 83-81 with 28.7 ticks remaining.
Trying to keep my blood pressure down, the Mavericks allowed the Thunder to shoot twice before Matthews made a huge play on a loose ball advancing it down the court for a layup for the four point lead with 14.4 on the clock.
Kevin Durant would then scare every Dallas fan as he nailed a quick three cutting the Mavericks lead to one with 9.5 seconds remaining.
Felton would miss both free throws allowing the Thunder to take two shots under the bucket by Durant and Russell Westbrook.
The last second off the clock was a Steven Adams tip-in that was counted, but later reviewed and ruled no basket.
Steven Adams with the potential game-winner. https://t.co/bu4xVY9Giv
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 19, 2016
Felton led the Mavericks with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Nowitzki added 17 points and off the bench, Salah Mejri pitched in 12 points.
Despite shooting 7-of-33, Durant would lead the Thunder with 21 points and nine rebounds.
The Mavericks head back to Dallas with the series tied 1-1. Even though the game will air on TNT, if capable, catch the game on TXA 21 at 6 p.m. CT.
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