The top-seeded OKC Thunder will face the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The best-of-seven series ended in a tie with one win and one loss. Dallas won Game 2 on Thursday, 119-110, on the road.
Here's what you need to know about the matchup.
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Thunder vs. Mavericks live score updates
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Half: Thunder 52, Mavericks 51
8:40 left in 2Q: Thunder 34, Mavericks 31 | Isaiah Joe takes OKC's first lead
Isaiah Joe made 3 of 3 from the field and scored seven points in six minutes. He went 19-7 in OKC.
—Jeff Patteron, Staff Writer
End of 1st quarter: Mavs 26, Thunder 23 | OKC overcomes early storm in Game 3
The Thunder trailed 26-23 after one. It was almost Washington vs. Dallas. He was mostly shy in OKC despite being forced to hit corners frequently in coverage. Chet has been all over the rim. Dallas shot 8-of-15 in the paint. Joe then takes a shot and it's OKC 3/10.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
1:42 left in 1Q: Mavericks 24, Thunder 17 | PJ Washington boosts Dallas
PJ Washington was everything to Dallas. He started this game by sticking him into the open side post, and now he's just making 3s and piling up putbacks. He scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
8:46 left in 1Q: Mark Daigneault challenges Le Dort's Luka Doncic for a foul.
Mark Daigneault calls for a foul on Dort, and Luka ends up FT three times. There are 3 minutes left until this game starts. I haven't seen the replay, but it would be cruel to lose this early. But Dort seemed confident, and so did Daigneault.
Judgment is stand, challenge is failure. This is the third consecutive game in which OKC has lost a challenge in the first half. Dort talks to the crew.
Mavericks lead 13-5.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer
Jaylen Williams is wearing a Jaylin Williams “Step Brothers” shirt
Jaylen Williams has gotten a lot of attention for his wardrobe throughout the NBA playoffs, but the second-year Thunder forward was a little more modest in his pregame outfit on Saturday.
Williams wore a shirt that mimicked the 2008 Will Ferrell classic “Step Brothers,” with Jaylin Williams replacing Ferrell and a J-Dub super-imposed on John C. Reilly.
—Jeff Patteron, Staff Writer
Will Josh Guidi start for the Thunder in Game 3?
Asked before Saturday's game whether Josh Guidi would be in the Thunder's Game 3 starting lineup, manager Mark Daigneault declined to answer.
Daigneault did not reveal his starting lineup before the game and said he did not intend to start Saturday.
Guidi was minus-20 points in a season-low 11 minutes in Game 2.
Mavericks forward P.J. Washington scored a playoff career-high 29 points in Game 2 against the Thunder.
Before Game 3, Thunder coach Mark Dynaud was asked if Washington's performance surprised the Thunder.
Daigneault noted that Washington has long been a Thunder killer.
“When I was in Charlotte, it felt like every shot was a given,” Daigneault said.
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
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Luka Doncic injury status: Mavericks star to play in Game 3
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before the game that Luka Doncic, who is on the knee and ankle injury list, will play in Game 3.
There was little question about Doncic's availability, but now it's confirmed that Doncic is indeed available.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was asked before the game if there was a player that Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren reminded Kidd of.
Kid thought for a few seconds.
“Maybe Victor?”
Holmgren can't escape comparisons to Victor Wembaneyama even in the playoffs.
“I hope it doesn't piss him off,” Kidd said, drawing a laugh.
Kidd also said he sees elements of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Holmgren.
—Joe Moussatto, Staff Writer
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Thunder vs. Mavericks Highlights
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Playoff Game 3 Predictions
Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman
It took a lot for Dallas to get a steal in Game 2 at OKC on Thursday.
The Mavericks shot 48.6% from deep. They got 29 points from P.J. Washington. They got 11 assists from Kyrie Irving, tying the most in his playoff career.
Dallas won. However, if OKC can get back on track defensively, they should be able to take the lead in Game 3.
prediction: Thunder 112, Mavericks 109
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Game 3: How to watch OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
- date: Saturday, May 11th
- time: 2:30pm (Central time)
- tv set: ABC
- Live stream: Sling (free viewing)
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OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks injury report
OKC Thunder injury report
none
Dallas Mavericks injury report
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is out. Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) is absent. Luka Doncic (strained right knee, sore left ankle) is questionable.
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OKC Thunder projected starting lineup
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG)
- Josh Guidy (12.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.8 APG)
- Le 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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Dallas Mavericks projected 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: Dallas 119, OKC 110
- Game 3: Saturday 2:30 p.m., Dallas (ABC)
- Game 4: Monday 8:30pm Dallas (TNT)
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 15th, 8:30pm, OKC (TNT)
- Game 6 (if required): Saturday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., Dallas (ESPN)
- Game 7 (if required): Monday, May 20th, 7:30pm, 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 3 betting odds
Odds provided by BetMGM, as of Saturday, May 11th
- Spread: Dallas (-2.5)
- Top/Bottom: 217.5
- Money line: Dallas -145 | OKC +120
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2024 NBA Playoffs
1st round pick: Celtics vs Heat | Knicks vs 76ers | Bucks vs Pacers | Cavaliers vs Magic | Thunder vs Pelicans | Nuggets vs Lakers | Timberwolves vs Suns | Clippers vs Mavericks
2nd round pick: Thunder vs. Mavericks | Nuggets vs. Timberwolves | Celtics vs. Cavaliers | Knicks vs. Pacers
more:2024 NBA Playoffs: Complete schedule, bracket breakdown and how to watch
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