Tim Heitman/Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks are officially targeting the Oklahoma City Thunder for an upset.
After stealing Game 2 on the road, Dallas rode the momentum to a 105-101 victory and a 2-1 series lead against the top-seeded Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
ESPN @Espun
Mavericks win Game 3 behind great performance from PJ Washington 👏 pic.twitter.com/iGYtyLx4M8
dallas mavericks @dallas muffs
I was in charge of business. MAVS wins!!!@Chime // #OneForDallas pic.twitter.com/gBuJki9jTo
It was a close game, with Oklahoma City taking a one-point lead at halftime. Dallas built a four-point lead at the end of the third quarter and held on for the final spot, leading to a big victory.
Dallas was led by PJ Washington with 27 points. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were next with 22 points each, and Derek Lively II came off the bench with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Oklahoma City. Off the bench, Jaylen Williams scored 16 points, Chet Holmgren added 13 points and Isaiah Joe added 13 points.
Doncic's 22-point performance was joined by 15 rebounds for a double-double. He also had five rebounds and two steals, going 7-of-17 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.
dallas mavericks @dallas muffs
Luka ⬆️
Gafford ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hPpwC8rW1o
Fans praised Doncic's performance and declared Dallas to be a fearsome team going forward.
𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 @hoop diary
Luka Doncic & Luka Doncic PJ Washington in Game 3
22 points
15 rebounds
5 assists
2 steal27 points
6 rebounds
2 assists
11/23 FG
5:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. pic.twitter.com/S15knsy6oe
lee harvey @Music fan 4 life
Luka Doncic: 22 points (7-17 shooting, 1-4 3-point shooting, 7-10 FT line), 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals in 40 minutes. pic.twitter.com/UUQUWJUL0g
jack dent @JackDentsTweet
The Mavericks have two of the five best closers in the NBA today in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, so it's tough to win in close games…#mavs #DallasMavericks #NBAPlayoffs
Dallas technically doesn't need to win one more game on the road since they're guaranteed to have two home games left unless they end the series before that point. Winning Game 4 will be crucial for the team's hopes of moving forward, and it will give them three chances to accomplish that goal.
Game 4 is scheduled to tip off Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
