Luka Doncic scored 31 factors in a triple-double, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 104-92 on Wednesday night time to take a 3-2 lead within the Western Convention semifinal collection.
Doncic, the league’s main scorer within the common season, had struggled some within the collection in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis. Enjoying via a sprained proper knee and a sore left ankle, he had averaged simply 22 factors on 39% taking pictures via the primary 4 video games. He made 12 of twenty-two discipline objectives in Recreation 5 and had 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his sixth profession playoff triple-double.
Derrick Jones Jr. scored a playoff career-high 19 factors and P.J. Washington Jr. added 10 factors and 10 rebounds for Dallas, which shot 52.6% from the ground. The No. 5-seeded Mavericks can advance to the Western Convention finals with a win Saturday at house.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 factors for the top-seeded Thunder, however no different Oklahoma Metropolis participant scored greater than 13 factors.
The Mavericks received Recreation 5 on the street, identical to they did within the first spherical in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas held Oklahoma Metropolis to 42.5% taking pictures.
Oklahoma Metropolis tried to jump-start its struggling offense by changing Josh Giddey with Isaiah Joe within the beginning lineup. Giddey didn’t begin for the primary time in 229 mixed common season and postseason video games.
Dallas led by 15 within the second quarter and took a 54-44 edge into halftime. Jones scored 15 factors earlier than the break.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 factors within the third quarter, however Dallas nonetheless led 79-67.
Dallas pushed its lead out to 18 factors early within the fourth quarter earlier than the Thunder surged. A 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander reduce the deficit to 89-79 with just below seven minutes remaining and compelled Dallas to name a timeout. The Thunder by no means received nearer than seven factors the remainder of the best way.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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