Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks were desperate to even the series in the NBA second-round playoff matchup against the Thunder. Doncic finished with 29 including 16 in the first quarter, PJ Washington hit a career-high 7 of the Mavs’ 18 threes and the Mavericks evened the series by beating OKC 119-110.
The NBA Western Conference semifinals are heading to Dallas for Game 3 and 4. Doncic also added 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Washington registered 11 rebounds alongside his 29 points.
Kyrie Irving added nine points and 11 assists for the No. 5-seeded Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, and Jalen Williams added 20 points for the Thunder. OKC allowed more than 100 points in the first time this postseason. Game 3 is on Saturday.
Donovan Mitchell started Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals by being away from his usual dynamic self. He turned a corner in the second half to lead the Cavaliers to a blowout 118-94 victory. That was the first Cavs’ road victory in the postseason since the 2018 NBA playoffs.
The Cavaliers were lead to a seven-game battle then by LeBron James and put away the Celtics to advance to the NBA Finals for the third time in the row. Mitchell finished with 29 points after scoring 33 in Game 1 blowout loss.
Evan Mobley had 21 points and 10 rebounds for his third straight double-double, and his fifth of this postseason. Caris LeVert scored 21 off the bench for Cleveland. The series now heading to Cleveland where the JB Bickerstaff-led team remains perfect with fours wins in the NBA playoffs.
Jayson Tatum scored 25 for Boston, and Jaylen Brown added 19 points. Derrick White who scored 25 points in Game 1, only had 10 missing seven of his eight 3-point attempts.
NBA Playoffs Recap (9/5)
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Boston Celtics (1) 118 – 94 (1-1)
Dallas Mavericks (5) vs OKC Thunder (1) 119 – 110 (1-1)
