Dallas capitalized on the Thunder's mistakes to secure the win.
Dallas Mavericks secured a 105-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Luka Doncic played despite a sprained right knee and sore left ankle, contributing with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
P.J. Washington led the Mavericks in scoring with 27 points.
The Thunder had a total of 14 turnovers in the game, above their season average.
In the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks secured a 105-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3. Luka Doncic, despite battling a sprained right knee and sore left ankle, managed to contribute with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Kyrie Irving also played a crucial role with his assists, setting up key baskets for P.J. Washington who led the Mavericks in scoring with 27 points.
Washington set the tone early on, starting the game with a cutting dunk off an Irving assist and finishing the first half with 19 points. In the third quarter, he knocked down two three-pointers and tallied a dunk during a Dallas 16-0 run. The Mavericks now lead the series 2-1 going into Game 4 on Monday.
However, turnovers proved costly for the Thunder in this game with a total of 14 turnovers, above their season average. Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins each threw passes that led to turnovers after defensive rebounds. The Mavericks capitalized on these mistakes and forced several key turnovers to secure the win.
Despite Chet Holmgren's attempt to defend Dereck Lively II before Doncic or Irving could initiate an offense, Lively managed to evade Holmgren's clutches during an intentional foul and missed three shots as a result. Tim Hardaway Jr. entered the game in place of Lively, who calmly drained his next four attempts at the free throw line after being removed from the game, allowing Dallas to set their defense and force more turnovers.
The Mavericks' resilience was on full display as they overcame individual injuries and team errors to take a commanding 2-1 lead in the series. The Thunder will need to regroup for Game 4 if they hope to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Luka Doncic had an off shooting night with 22 points but grabbed 15 rebounds.
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 27 points and five made threes in Game 3.
Accuracy
Kyrie Irving scored eight points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Washington has taken advantage of the Thunder’s defensive game plan, scoring 29 points in Game 2.
The Mavs had a 52-38 advantage in points in the paint and won the rebounding battle by a margin of 48-41.
Jason Kidd referred to his team as being built to be physical after recent trades brought Washington and Daniel Gafford to Dallas.
Luka Doncic has averaged 27.7 points in the playoffs, a dip from his regular season average of 33.9 points per game.
Doncic is shooting only 41.0% from the floor and 26.4% from three-point range in the postseason.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when Tim MacMahon states 'According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Washington became only the third player in Mavericks history to have consecutive playoff performances with at least 27 points and five made 3s.' This statement is used as evidence for P.J. Washington's performance, but it does not directly prove that the author's assertion about Washington is true.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Washington became only the third player in Mavericks history to have consecutive playoff performances with at least 27 points and five made 3s.
P.J. Washington led the Dallas Mavericks with 27 points in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against Oklahoma City Thunder.
Washington set the tone with a cutting dunk off a Kyrie Irving assist to start the game and finished the first half with a team-high 19 points.
In the third quarter, Washington knocked down two 3-pointers, tallied a dunk and pulled down two boards during a Dallas 16-0 run.
Accuracy
The Mavericks dominated the paint with a scoring edge of 52-38 and seized an advantage on second-chance points with 10 more field goal attempts than the Thunder.
Kyrie Irving racked up 14 of his 22 points in the second half, carrying the Mavs home.
Dallas is now 4-2 this postseason when Washington scores 20 points or more.
The Mavericks outrebounded OKC by seven total boards but had a significant advantage on the offensive glass with 15-6.
Irving averages 21.3 points, shooting 61.5% from the field, 52% from 3-point range and 80% from the free-throw line in second half of home games throughout the playoffs.
Irving is hitting 53.2% from the floor and 52.6% from deep while averaging 8.1 points in fourth quarter alone this postseason.
Three Mavs starters, Washington, Doncic and Irving combined for 67.6% of Dallas’ scoring in Game 3.
Luka Doncic said ‘We didn’t do anything yet.’ despite winning two games and needing to win four to advance.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains some instances of informal fallacies and dichotomous depictions. The author uses the phrase 'can't be stopped' to describe P.J. Washington, implying that he is invincible in the corners for open shots, which is an overgeneralization and a form of hyperbole.
> 1.5% of Dallas' scoring in Game 3 came from P.J. Washington's corner threes, yet OKC continues to leave him wide open.<br>CP.J. Washington can’t be stopped.<br>
> The broadcast announcer said after the forward drilled a 23-footer off a Luka Doncic assist to put Dallas ahead 71-65 with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter.<br>CP.J. Washington can’t be stopped.
The Thunder had 14 turnovers in the game, which is above their season average.
Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins each threw passes that led to turnovers after defensive rebounds.
Accuracy
P.J. Washington led Dallas with 27 points and five made threes in Game 3.
Washington has taken advantage of the Thunder’s defensive game plan, scoring 29 points in Game 2.
The Mavs had a 52-38 advantage in points in the paint and won the rebounding battle by a margin of 48-41.
Kyrie Irving racked up 14 of his 22 points in the second half, carrying the Mavs home.
Dallas is now 4-2 this postseason when Washington scores 20 points or more.
Irving averages 21.3 points, shooting 61.5% from the field, 52% from 3-point range and 80% from the free-throw line in second half of home games throughout the playoffs.
Irving is hitting 53.2% from the floor and 52.6% from deep while averaging 8.1 points in fourth quarter alone this postseason.
Three Mavs starters, Washington, Doncic and Irving combined for 67.6% of Dallas’ scoring in Game 3.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains some instances of unintentional fallacies due to the author's focus on specific plays and events in the game. However, these fallacies do not significantly impact the overall argument or analysis provided by the author. I have identified two potential fallacies: 1) Hasty Generalization - The author states that 'some of their uncharacteristic giveaways (similar to Game 2 loss) stick out as particularly harmful.' While it is true that turnovers can be detrimental, especially in close games, the author's statement implies that all turnovers are equally harmful and that they are directly responsible for the Thunder's losses. However, not all turnovers are created equal, and some may occur due to factors beyond a player's control or as a result of good defensive plays by the opposing team. 2) Red Herring - The author mentions 'The Thunder had a 10-point third quarter lead on Saturday, but the Mavericks went on a 16-0 run that included this sequence at an emotional point of the game.' While it is true that this sequence was emotionally charged and led to points for the Mavericks, it does not necessarily mean that it was the sole cause of their comeback. The author's focus on this particular play may distract from other factors contributing to the Thunder's struggles during that period, such as defensive lapses or poor shooting. Despite these fallacies, the article provides valuable analysis and insights into the Thunder's performance in the NBA playoffs against the Mavericks.
]The most deadly Oklahoma City Thunder possession Saturday afternoon in Dallas might have been their briefest.[
Chet Holmgren tried to defend Dereck Lively II before Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving could initiate an offense
Lively evaded Holmgren’s clutches during an intentional foul and missed three shots as a result
Tim Hardaway Jr. entered the game in place of Lively
Lively calmly drained his next four attempts at the free throw line after being removed from the game, allowing Dallas to set their defense and force turnovers
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Dort as a 'pest' and a 'brute'. He also makes an appeal to authority by mentioning Patrick Mahomes' comment about Dort potentially playing in the NFL.
“So when Dončić slammed to the deck after what resulted in a jump ball off a defensive rebound with 1:28 to play, of course it was Dort whose own hustle toward the rock leveled Dončić like a boulder.”
“For great lengths of this series, it has seemed like Dončić is more focused on drawing fouls on Dort, just to send him to the sidelines, as opposed to simply attacking the burly man before him.”
