OKC Thunder can’t slow down Luka Doncic, Mavericks in Game 2 loss

The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will host the No. 5 Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at 8:30 pm Thursday.

OKC holds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. It earned a 117-95 home win over Dallas in Game 1 on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:

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Thunder vs. Mavericks highlights

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OKC takes its first loss of these playoffs and its first since April 5th, a 119-110 Game 2 loss. Luka didn’t look like the Luka of Tuesday or last round. 29 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists. PJ Washington kills the corner, has 29. Thunder never found that final gear in the 4th.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

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Dallas led 99-89 going into the fourth. Probably gonna be on the Dub lineup to swing this game. Mavs have had some good responses, including that THJ run. PJ Washington hasn’t lost his touch.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Just a deflating play and sequence from Tim Hardaway Jr. Four-point play in transition, and Cason Wallace played it like he knew it was coming. 10 straight points for him.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Giddey posted a plus-minus of -14 in just eight minutes played in the first half.

Dallas with a 68-62 lead at half. Luka has looked more like Luka tonight. 7 for 11, making masterful reads — easy ones, really. The corner is open, as it tends to be with OKC. PJ Washington has made a living out there. Mavs 12 for 24 from deep. Shai with 18, Dub with 14. OKC responded well to that early deficit.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Something happened to Gafford’s hand on the block a couple minutes back. After his miss there, it looked like he went straight to the locker room.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Game of runs. Luka spins Dort out of the frame, misses. Shai snatches some feet from his defender, cash. OKC down 8.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

The Thunder might have the best shooting fans in the NBA. For the third time in four playoff games, a Thunder fan has made a halfcourt contest shot.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Dallas ahead 36-32 after 1. Luka Doncic’s world so far: 16 points, endless stepbacks, more whistles at this point than last game. The corner 3s are corner 3ing. Mavs 8 for 13 from deep. Really, really good quarter for the JWill-Chet lineup. Dug OKC out an early hole. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 10 points.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Luka is here. He a heater to start this game. Couple step back 3s, probing in the PNR, a great lob to Gafford against a relaxed defense. He’s had his hands on everything.

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer

Two days after one OU great was spotted courtside for Thunder-Mavericks at Paycom Center, former Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has an up-close view of Game 2 on Thursday night.

The former OU football star was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, where he remains the starting quarterback.

Former OU basketball star Trae Young was at Game 1 on Tuesday.

—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer

Denver’s Nikola Jokic was the runaway winner of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, but there was a real race for second between Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dallas’ Luka Doncic.

Gilgeous-Alexander received 15 first-place votes to Doncic’s four, and 40 second-place votes to Doncic’s 36.

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder edged Doncic and the Mavericks in Game 1, and SGA beat Doncic in the MVP race.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was asked before Game 2 Thursday about the results.

“I was really rooting for him,” Daigneault said of SGA. “I’ve said this before, but I don’t think the individual awards validate anything in terms of the work that’s been done with any of our players, all the guys who have been up for awards.

“It doesn’t change the fact that he had a great two-end season, a great regular season, unprecedented numbers, and the impact that he’s had on our team not only this season but over the course of this build, you can’ t even measure. An award wouldn’t change any of those things.”

Gilgeous-Alexander has logged back-to-back top-five MVP finishes. He finished fifth for the award last season.

—Joe Mussatto, Staff writer

OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 2 predictions

Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman

The Thunder checked off all the boxes in its blowout Game 1 win.

OKC held Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to a combined 39 points. It picked apart an improved Dallas defense. It showcased its depth by scoring 42 bench points.

It’s worth noting that Dallas lost Game 1 to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round only to win the series, 4-2. The Mavericks know how to adjust, but the Thunder should still be able to take care of business at home on Thursday.

prediction: Thunder 108, Mavericks 102

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Game 2: How to watch OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

• Date: Thursday, May 9
• Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
• TV: ESPN
• Live Stream: Sling (watch for free)

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Injury report for OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks

OKC Thunder injury report

None

Dallas Mavericks injury report

Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is out. Luka Doncic (right knee sprain) is probable.

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Projected OKC Thunder starting lineup

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
• Josh Giddey (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)
• Lu Dort (10.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.4 APG)
• Jalen Williams (19.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)
• Chet Holmgren (16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.4 APG)

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Projected Dallas Mavericks starting lineup

• Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG)
• Kyrie Irving (25.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.2 APG)
• Derrick Jones Jr. (8.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1 APG)
• PJ Washington (11.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG)
• Daniel Gafford (11.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks playoff series schedule

• Game 1: OKC 117, Dallas 95
• Game 2: 8:30 p.m. Thursday in OKC (ESPN)
• Game 3: 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Dallas (ABC)
• Game 4: 8:30 p.m. Monday in Dallas (TNT)
• Game 5 (if necessary): TBD Wednesday, May 15, in OKC (TNT)
• Game 6 (if necessary): 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Dallas (ESPN)
• Game 7 (if necessary): 7:30 pm Monday, May 20, in OKC (TNT)

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks regular-season series record

OKC won the regular-season series, 3-1.

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OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks NBA playoffs Game 2 betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, May 9

• Spread: OKC (-4.5)
• Over/under: 218.5
• Moneylines: OKC -200 | Dallas +165

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First-round picks: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks

Second-round picks: Thunder vs Mavericks | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Celtics vs Cavaliers | Knicks vs Pacers

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