Thunder resist Mavericks comeback to stay undefeated

And in the end, Thunder wins. The current champion got a new test this night by winning on the floor of the Mavs (94-101), in a match in which he dominated the debates for a long time before getting seriously scared in the final. Oklahoma City thus continues its undefeated start to the season (4v-0d).

The favorites for this meeting, Marc Daigneault’s men were well on their way to a quiet evening in Texas. After their canonical and authoritarian start to the meeting (2-11 after four minutes), the debate was certainly balanced, thanks in particular to the renewed external skill brought by Max Christie.

But the visitors always seemed to be one or more steps ahead. Proof: they were never led into this confrontation where the address wasn’t always there. As the break approached, Dallas had the good idea to rely on Anthony Davis who scored 9 straight points for his team, mostly close to the circle. Enough to allow Dallas to be just two possessions away (42-48) going into the locker room.

An almost fatal comeback in the last quarter

This is where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his gang stepped things up. Chet Holmgren was one of the first sparks as he faked PJ Washington for a 3-pointer before dunking on poor Cooper Flagg’s nose. Then “SGA” sanctioned flawlessly with a 3-pointer, before finding the same Holmgren in the heart of the racket, then again dancing in front of D’Angelo Russell to sanction again.

The two were the most prominent in this quarter, in which OKC took the lead (69-87). Isaiah Hartenstein’s dunk later to give his team the biggest lead, we thought the debate was over. It was there, however, that the Texas Rebellion began. Max Christie, Jaden Hardy and even PJ Washington, not forgetting the inevitable “AD”, contributed to an unimaginable 15-0 victory that allowed the home team to rally 3 minutes from time (89-93).

With the Thunder’s offense frozen, D’Angelo Russell even went as far to sign a floater to put Dallas within a point with a minute left. Isaiah Hartenstein then gave some air by finishing in the circle, before the same Russell tried to tie the game from behind the arc: too short. “SGA” managed to finish the job with his first pass on the penalty line after being very scared.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Thunder runs out of fuel. In addition to the victory, the current champion will thus be able to maintain a long period of offensive drought in the last quarter: five minutes without a goal, which could have been fatal. In this series, OKC pushed a lot from behind the 3-point line. In vain, like an airball thrown by Aaron Wiggins. The Thunder made just 6 of their 30 attempts from behind the arc. Isaiah Hartenstein, however, grabbed a couple of offensive rebounds to offer more chances, the circle temporarily closed for the Thunder.

– Cooper Flag struck and sank. The battle for the rebound with Hartenstein and the injury… from the first possession of the match. That’s the fate suffered by the No. 1 pick in the last draft, shot in the left shoulder. After that, he couldn’t express himself: only 2 points in 31 minutes, with an ugly 1/9 on shots, including 0/3 from distance, with 2 rebounds and 2 interceptions. Novak was enterprising in the second quarter, but he didn’t succeed either far or close.

– Two opposing dynamics. Not showing undivided dominance, like this duel or the two matches won in double overtime, the Thunder returned home with a perfect score (4v-0d). And he can continue with three opponents within reach (Kings, Wizards, Pelicans). The opposite dynamic for the Texans, who have not benefited from a home start to the season: a four-game winning streak, all in their own arena. The Mavs have their last meeting there on Wednesday against the Pacers, before two tough first trips (Pistons, Rockets).

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