Description
The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-95 against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoff Western Conference at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on the 8th (Korea time), and succeeded in gaining the upper hand in the series.
Oklahoma City is losing momentum. With 57 wins and 25 losses this season, the team beat the defending champion Denver Nuggets to become No. 1 in the Western Conference in 11 years. According to local media ESPN, the team became the youngest team (average age of 23.9) to win the No. 1 seed since its seeding began in 1984.
Although they were proven by their performances, there were concerns that followed as young as they were young. Local media reported that they lacked experience in the playoffs. Will they be able to survive on the playoff stage due to lack of experience on the big stage.
However, his lack of experience was not a problem. He did so from the first round. He won all four games against the New Orleans Pelicans. He made it to the second round without difficulty. And his next opponent is Dallas, where a clear one-two punch named Luca Doncic and Kyrie Irving holds out.
Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks) and Jaylen Williams (18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) took the lead in winning the game, centering on Shai Gilgers Alexander, who played triple-double with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
It was not just a victory, but Oklahoma City showed off its capacity to overcome the crisis. After finishing the second quarter with a 62-53 lead, Oklahoma City allowed a strong catch-up to a one-point gap (66-65) by allowing Irving and PJ Washington to score three points in the third quarter. In addition, Doncic was allowed to score, which could have completely given up the mood.There were more than a few who came forward during the crisis. Starting with Isaiah Joe's three-pointer, Lougentz Dot, Holmgren and Gilgeous Alexander's four-pointer, and Williams' dunk. He brought the mood straight away with even performance in contrast to Dallas, which focused on Doncic and Irving.
An easy victory came after one tough overcoming. Oklahoma City led 28-16 in the fourth quarter score, outpacing Dallas, where Doncic and Irving held out. Being young was not a big problem for them. Attention is focusing on how far Oklahoma City's run will continue in the remaining playoff series.
BY: 사설토토