The Dallas Mavericks have no chance against the Oklahoma City Thunder to start the second round of the NBA playoffs. The Boston Celtics dominate their opening game against Cleveland
The Dallas Mavericks have clearly lost the first game of the second round series of the NBA playoffs at the Oklahoma City Thunder. On Tuesday (local time), the Texans were beaten 95:117 (53:62) by the best West team in the main round. The second game of the best-of-seven series in the North American Basketball League will take place again in Oklahoma City on Thursday (local time).
Dallas was able to keep the game evenly poised until the middle of the third quarter, before the Thunder opened up a double-digit lead. The game was decided midway through the final period, when Dallas went four-and-a-half minutes without scoring and had to concede 89:113 after a 0:9 run. While Dallas’ superstar Luka Doncic fell short of expectations with 19 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander impressed for the Thunder with 29 points. Both are two of three candidates for the Most Valuable Player of the Season award.
“Who cares? We lost,” said the ailing Doncic about his performance. “We just have to focus on the next game. I have to be better, we have to be better.”
German basketball player Maxi Kleber was missing for the Mavericks due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the last game of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. It is questionable whether Kleber will be able to play again in the playoffs.
Celtics dominate against Cleveland
The best team in the main round of the Eastern Conference also recorded a clear victory to kick off the second round. The Boston Celtics won 120:95 (59:49) against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics opened the game with a 12:2 run and were consistently ahead by double digits from the middle of the second quarter. Jaylen Brown (32 points) and Derrick White (25 points) led the Celtics and together hit eleven of Boston’s 18 threes. Donovon Mitchell was the Cavaliers’ best scorer with 33 points.
