There are no style points in the NBA postseason. All that matters is winning the game in front of you. That's why series can often be decided by stealing games, as the Oklahoma City Thunder marched into American Airlines Center on Monday to snatch victory from the brink of defeat.
After trailing for much of the night, with shots clicking, lackluster and at times dysfunctional, the Thunder pulled off a surprising victory. The Thunder's subpar offense and Dallas' role players making shots allowed the Mavericks to open up a 14-point lead that no one expected them to get.
Playing ketchup against this Mavericks team, which features two of the NBA's toughest shot makers, became incredibly difficult, and it ended up being a silent game on Monday.
The series was moved when Kenrich Williams was given a double technical foul and Lou Dort yelled back at the referee for a phantom foul on him. It felt like a wake-up call, as this young Thunder team finally understood what was at stake in these games.
The intensity was there as Jaylen Williams and Wang fist-pumped to the bench, greeted with electric screams, and an exclamation point on the final frame run that ultimately gave Oklahoma City the victory. I felt it for the rest of the time.
But none of that would be possible without a spectacular performance from superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 34 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a ton of blocks in 42 minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander took advantage of the Mavericks' overzealous paint defense and sprayed out perimeter shooters, hitting one tough shot after another until he finally cashed the check.
Oklahoma City did their job on this road trip despite the road they had to get there. With the series tied and home court advantage restored to the Thunder, the Thunder will play a best-of-three series at home against the Mavericks with two games remaining at home.
The Thunder will then take on the Mavericks in a crucial Game 5 on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:30 a.m. CT inside Paycom Center, which will be broadcast on TNT.
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