As expected, the case of Durant’s missing jump s was solved rather quickly.
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It worked cause by the end of the first period, they had a 24-20 lead. The issue for Dallas is that a more manageable style doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll come out ahead.
The Raptors lead the series 2-1 and have reclaimed the home-court advantage.
DeRozan made his first three shots, scored 12 points in the first quarter and went 7 of 19 from the field and 7 of 9 at the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 107.7 points on 44.8 percent shooting and allowing 85.7 points on 39.7 percent shooting. Westbrook once again played like a man on fire, putting up 25 points and 11 dimes on 9-of-16 shooting.
The matchup eventually ended 108-70 and many thought that this series would already be over.
Ibaka certainly isn’t forcing anything. It looked like the Warriors were going to steal one on the road where they were outplayed most of the night. Especially against an overmatched – at least athletically – Dallas team.
Williams said he didn’t feel like he could even run before Game 3, and coach Rick Carlisle says he’s unsure if his point guard will be available Saturday. While the are arguments to be made against Durant’s shot selection, he has firmly established himself as one of the most efficient scorers in National Basketball Association history. The problems for the Mavs extend way beyond the 2014 MVP. Westbrook finished the game without recording a single rebound. After jabs were exchanged through the media over the last couple of days, it was Westbrook who got the last laugh.
In the 2011 Western Conference finals, Dallas needed only five games to eliminate a young Thunder squad. Westbrook sent them for the exits, accounting for the next 10 points on two 3-pointers and two dishes for layups.
“When I play well, I don’t throw a party for myself afterward”, Durant said. “Russell was able to cruise on from there and help finish it”. “They went with straight out doubles (in Game 3)”. “They know what’s at stake in terms of the All-Star Game. There were other things we did that we can do better”. “The world will think I’m talking about that last turnover but I’m not. And we’ve got to be ready for physical play because they are initiating a lot of things out there”. Howard said postgame the Rockets need to treat Game 4 like a Game 7.
“They got hot”, Felton said. “They just can’t jack-knife and shoot over two guys”. Since the start of a 2012 first-round series, Oklahoma City has a postseason record of 6-1 against the Mavs. Kanter finished with 21 points and eight rebounds in Game 3, while Dion Waiters scored 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
Simply put, Dallas is a team full of veteran players who have found success at one time or another in this league. “I try to get those guys open shots. Shots that weren’t falling, fell”. “I play on instinct”.
Dallas can survive if Westbrook and Durant hit hard shots, but when OKC’s smorgasbord of off guards start threading the net, they stand no chance.
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The Dallas Mavericks are among the worst offensive rebounding teams (ranked 26th), while the Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the NBA’s top defensive rebounding teams (ranked second).
